Chapter 1 of Ryo's Secret
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon

This was originally the rewrite of one of my older stories called "What Happened". I decided to change it up a little. I'm sticking to the original plot line but I have added and subtracted a few things and hopefully made it better than the original and more recent rewrite.

So, thank you to the old readers who have come back to reread this story. Thank you so much for sticking with me through this and don't worry I will be updating the sequel with all of the changes and a new title as soon as I complete this story. To my new readers, welcome and I hope you enjoy this fanfic.

Rika walked to Guilmon's hideout to meet up with her best friends. It had been a few weeks since they had seen each other which was nothing unusual. Life kept them busy but they always kept in touch. She couldn't help but smile when she reached the hideout. Henry and Takato stood there waiting for her just like in the old days when they were still Tamers and still had their digimon bouncing around them.

Henry was the first to spot her. A grin spread widely across his face. He pulled her into a bone crushing hug the moment she was within reach. Rika glanced at Takato over Henry's shoulder. Takato's forehead was creased with worry but he still managed to smile at her. "What's wrong?" She asked as Henry released her.

"Have you heard from Ryo?" Takato asked.

Rika shook her head. "Why?"

"Nobody has." Henry answered. "Not since our last get together a month ago. We figured if he had talked to anybody it would have been you. You're his favorite to annoy." Rika's eyes shifted between the two of them. It was unusual to go two days without hearing from Ryo, but an entire month? Something was definitely up. "We've tried calling him, but it says his phone's been disconnected."

"Maybe we should stop by his house." Rika suggested.

Takato nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea."

"What's a good idea?" Jeri asked as she came to a halt beside Takato. Rika hadn't even noticed her approaching or the two idiots trailing behind her.

"We're going to Ryo's house to see what the deal is." Takato replied.

"We need to talk to Ryo's dad." Kazu said as he approached.

"He'll know what's up with Ryo." Kenta added.

"Brilliant ideas boys! Why didn't I think of that?" Rika's voice dripped sarcasm.

"Stop it!" Henry murmured in her ear, pulling her behind him. Rika rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. These two boys managed to irritate her more than Ryo. "That's a good idea guys, but we as in Takato, Rika, and I." Henry said, turning towards Kazu and Kenta.

"And Jeri!" Takato added hastily. He blushed as everyone looked at him. Jeri smiled.

"That's no fair! He's our friend too!" Said Kenta, stubbornly crossing his arms. Rika's eyes narrowed. Hardly! she thought.

"I know that, but we're depending on you to take Suzie home and take care of her." At the mention of her name, Suzie poked her head out from behind a tree.

Kazu groaned. "Isn't that little ankle bitter old enough to take care of herself?" Henry's eyes narrowed and Rika was beginning to get the feeling that she might have to hold Henry back.

"I'm not an ankle bitter!" Suzie shouted.

"We don't want to get you guys involved unless we really need to." Henry muttered through clenched teeth. Takato glanced at Jeri who was nodding in agreement with what Henry had said.

"Henry's right. We need you guys on back up duty." Kazu's jaw dropped.

"But, Takato-"

"Oh, quit whining, Kenta!" Rika shouted. She pushed past Henry and shoved Kenta into Kazu.

"Fine." Kenta mumbled.

"I will not tolerate shovi-" Kazu began, standing up to Rika.

"CAN IT!" Rika interrupted, waving her fist at Kazu. Kazu backed away, pulling Kenta in front of him.

"Do we still have to babysit Suzie?" Kenta asked, glancing at the girl who now stood in front of Henry. A muscle in Henry's jaw twitched as both Rika and Takato grabbed his arm.

"Yes." Takato replied.

"Suzie?" Henry asked as Kazu and Kenta stomped off.

Suzie looked up at him. "Yes, big brother?"

"Give them hell."

Suzie smirked. "It would be my pleasure."

The walk to Ryo's house was long and boring. The four of them really didn't talk much. They were all too caught up in their own worried thoughts. What if something bad had happened to Ryo? What if he was completely fine and just didn't pay his phone bill? If that was case, he was in for a serious ass kicking from Rika.

They approached Ryo's house, letting Henry knock on the door. A man answered it. He was tall with dark hair and extremely attractive. There was a little bit of stubble lining his jaw and Rika couldn't help but notice how striking his blue eyes were. They reminded her of Ryo's, except he didn't have dark purple bags under his eyes. It was clear to Rika that this man hadn't slept in several days.

"Can I help you?" He asked.

"Is Ryo around?" Henry asked politely. The man shook his head as tears rimmed his eyes. Rika could see him struggling to keep them from falling. Something bad must have happened. She feared the worst.

"I'm sorry but he's not. Are you friends of his?" Henry nodded in response. "Well, maybe you can help. I'm Jake, by the way. Ryo's brother." Rika's eyes widened in surprised along with everyone else. She had been sure that Ryo was an only child.

Takato was the first to recover. "I'm Takato." He pointed to each of the Tamers as he spoke their names. "That's Henry, this is Jeri and that is Rika." Jake's eyebrows rose.

"Rika?" Jake whispered, looking her up and down. Suddenly he smiled. "I never thought I'd have the pleasure of meeting the person that could drive Ryo crazy." Takato snickered as Rika blushed.

"Where is Ryo?" Henry asked.

Jake's smile faded. "I don't know. He's been missing for about three weeks now."