My first basically Rukato fic. Go easy, please?

Meanings:

---------------------------------------------- It means switching scenes/times

I'm thinking! – Thinking

"I'm speaking!" – Speaking

Chapter 1: A Lasting Impression

A little loving friendship never hurt anything, right? Well, in just a short while, you'll find the answer to that.

Flashback

"Just stay away from me! I can take care of this on my own; I don't need any help from someone like you! I can't believe you're even asking, I mean, Renamon and I fight together. It's not like anybody cares for me, so why should I care about anybody else?"

End Flashback

"It's not like anybody cares for me, so why should I care about anybody else?" Takato mumbled to himself in confusion. "Takato?" Guilmon asked, "Are you okay? Is it about last night still?"

"Yeah, boy, I'm okay. I just don't understand why she would say that… how can somebody be that angry?" The boy questioned the dinosaur type digimon, who of course probably wouldn't know, while lying on his bed staring at the ceiling. "I just don't get it…"

"Well, I'm not sure Takatomon. I wish I could answer it for you." Guilmon sighed. "Why don't you ask Renamon?"

Takato jumped up that instant. "Guilmon, that's a great idea! Renamon is a lot more relaxed and friendly, I think, than Rika is. And, though Rika doesn't want her around sometimes, she's near her a lot more than we are. We're bound to get something out of Renamon… she's got to know why Rika's like that."

"So you're going to talk to her?" The digimon questioned. "Yeah, I am boy. I'll be back later… let's see, it's Saturday, and 10:24 now. Renamon has got to be outside somewhere. Thanks so much Guilmon!" Takato said, while rushing out of his house quickly, to try and find the digimon.

But, while running out so fast, he didn't realize his mother was downstairs. "Takato! What are you doing?" His mother asked.

"Uh… mom, I've got to go somewhere. For school, you know."

"You have to go now?"

"Yeah, better starting it early than never, right?"

"I guess so…." His mother sighed, and just went back to doing what she was doing.

Takato had a sigh of relief, too. "That was close… I need to be more careful." He whispered to himself.

"Don't you think you went a little over the top on Takato yesterday?" Renamon questioned inquisitively towards Rika.

Rika just glared at her. "You saw the look in his eyes just like I did. I could totally tell he was joking. I mean, Renamon, think about it, who really wants to help me besides you?"

Renamon just stared at the ground for a moment. "Rika, he wasn't joking, and yes, I did see the look in his eyes just like you did. But you missed something. Takato has emotions, and he's a really nice boy. Why don't you just give him a chance of being your friend?"

"And again, Renamon, you're my only friend now and my only friend ever. I don't need anybody."

"So, you have no emotions towards last night at all, and feel that you weren't too harsh on him?"

Flashback

"Rika, I can help you if you'd just give me a chance, please! You can't do this on your own forever! We could become a team, you, Henry and I. To beat all these evil digimon coming in, we need to gather our strengths as one, and we need to become one! None of us has the power to defeat them on their own!" Takato cried at her, while trying to convince her.

"But Takato, that's where you're wrong. I have been fine up until now, and I always will be. I don't need any help from you, okay, got it? I'm fine on my own!"

End Flashback

"Well, now that I think about it… he didn't seem to be-" But Rika snapped out of even thinking that then, "Wait, no, he even said 'you can't do this on your own forever' and, 'none of us has the power to defeat them on their own'. Renamon. He was calling me WEAK!"

Renamon just sighed, again, because of Rika. "You just don't understand. He wasn't calling you weak at all; he just didn't want you to feel like you had to fight the battle on your own."

"Yeah right." Rika just mumbled aggressively towards her. "I'm going out." The girl stammered as she walked out the door.

Renamon just nodded her head. "So am I Rika, so am I." And she just teleported herself to the park.

Hmm… Takato thought to himself, if I was an overly large yellow fox, where would I go? To the park!

Takato just kept heading off towards the park. I haven't seen Henry or Terriermon all day; I wonder where they've been. Oh, I can see the park from here!

When he finally got to the park, he actually saw no one there. That's weird… thought Takato. There are usually lots of people at the park, especially on Saturdays!

"Takato…" called a voice from behind him.

The boy turned around fast, because though he was looking for Renamon, he didn't think at all about their being digimon for him to fight!

"Renamon?" Takato questioned. "Is that you?"

"Of course it's me, who else is it? Terriermon in a suit on stilts?"

"Wow, you have a funny side?" Takato laughed.

"Ha-ha… anyway, I just wanted to apologize for the way Rika acted last night. I think it was very uncalled for. She's just been acting stranger and stranger over the past couple of weeks, and I'm not sure why."

Takato was looking at her, while she was looking towards the ground. "I know, I find it weird too, even though Rika's usually dark anyway. It's been different. Renamon, should we talk somewhere not in broad daylight? I mean, people can see you!"

Renamon just looked around. "There's no one here, but yeah, I guess that's a good idea."

"Let's go to where Guilmon usually is. I snuck him into my house last night, because I was really close to being late at home again… luckily though, my parents were asleep. Hopefully Guilmon's not into too much trouble."

"Okay, here we are." Takato said to the digimon. "Now let's really talk."

"I'm just not sure what to say. If Rika finds out I'm speaking to you, she'll get really angry with me."

"But, I thought we were becoming friends, and at one point, I thought we might have even been friends… but I guess I was wrong…"

Renamon was looking around, when suddenly she heard something. "Renamon!" called Rika.

"Sorry Takato, I have to go!" Renamon said, as she quickly teleported out of there.

"Bye, I guess…" Takato whispered with a frown. "Well, I'll just try and talk to Rika then."

As he started leaving the cave, he heard a little voice from behind him. "Pepper breath!"

"An Agumon!" Takato shouted, as he got blasted out the entrance of the area. "Rika!"

Rika heard Takato's voice, and came running over, "Renamon, a digimon!" She called out for her partner.

"Look, Takato, it's not like I'm here for you, bu-" The girl said, while noticing Takato's lifeless body. "Takato? Renamon, he's not moving!"

"He's knocked out, I believe, Rika. Rika, help him so I can get this digimon! This'll be easy though, an Agumon. Diamond Storm!" Renamon shouted, as she started collecting data from the newly fallen digimon.

"Takato? Takato! Wake up!" Rika cried while trying to get him awake, with her eyes closed hoping he would move. "Takato, I've realized I was wrong, about last night." Takato started waking up, but Rika didn't realize it, "I don't know If you can hear me, but well, I went out on a walk to think about what I've said, and that's why I was calling for Renamon, to admit I was wrong!"

"Really?" He wondered, "Takato!" Rika said, while backing up. "I… I've got to go. Come on Renamon." And she started to leave, embarrassed.

"Wait, Rika! Please I really want to talk to you." Takato stared at her, while she just turned around and didn't speak. There was an awkward silence for a little while, but it was enough time for Takato to realize something. He never truly realized how beautiful she was, but even if he did, he questioned how something so beautiful could be so angry. "

That time also gave Rika enough time to notice something about Takato. She noticed that he had the appearance of someone very sincere and honest. She never noticed that about him before, and there was something she liked about him, but something she couldn't explain. These feelings she's never felt before… and what does Rika do when she feels something she doesn't know? She runs.

"Takato… again, I've got to go." She said, as she started running off.

But he, he didn't move. Or very well translate what just happened, he just stared, and wondered.

Renamon then appeared behind Takato, but he didn't notice it, because he was still in a daze.

"Takato…" The digimon started, "I saw the look in her eyes. And, I've known Rika for a very long time, and what you just did… you've given her something that she doesn't know how to take in. Just by her looking at you."

Takato tried to turn around, and to comprehend what she was saying as well. But, it just felt useless. Finally he gathered up the strength and came out of his daze. "Renamon…" He just looked up at her, "I've got to go." And he just went to the place of a great interest to him, where he'd play the digimon card game.

And as he started walking away too, Renamon just mumbled under her breath, "It looks like Rika has also given the boy something that he doesn't know how to take it, or explain."

Back at Rika's house, Rika was home alone. Her grandmother was gone shopping, and her mother, like usual, wasn't around.

I don't understand, what was that? Why did I even stay there that long? And… what was it about him? For the next few minutes, which seemed like hours, she just threw question upon question all over herself.

"Just one minute…" She whispered to herself, "He… he wasn't kidding around. He was sincere about what he was saying, and he did really want to help, and now, I've got to apologize. Oh man, am I sorry Takato. I'm very, very sorry..." She wanted to go and tell him, but she was afraid.

"After that awkward silence? Yeah, that would be nice, it'll be even more awkward to talk to him now…" She just mumbled on and on. The tamer looked over at the clock, "12:51? Wow, time passes by fast…" But by the time she looked at the clock, Renamon came back.

For a long time, Rika, I've been waiting outside for you. I heard what you were mumbling, but I couldn't have entered. This is one thing I know not to interfere on. Go on, Rika, go on.

Renamon teleported in, looked at Rika and then just looked outside, in a way of telling her to go without speaking.

Rika, you know you want to. I know you want to. But Takato, I'm not sure about him. I hope he'll be there.

"Duh, I'm gonna go, Renamon… It's not like it's a big deal or anything…" Lied Rika.

Rika just ran out the door, "Look, I'm going, okay?" And Renamon just gazed at her. But, Rika felt a little different after that moment with Takato, so she ended up flashing Renamon a slight smile before she left. Thanks Renamon, for everything….

At the Matsuki's, it appeared nobody was home. "Great, all this way for nothi-" But then somebody answered the door. It was Takato's father. "Hello?" Rika started to studder, but eventually got it out, "Um, i-is Takato home?" But the father replied with, "No, Takato isn't home at this time, he hasn't been out since he left this morning." Rika just said okay and then left.

That's strange… she thought. I thought he'd go back home after the "incident" at the park.

"Maybe I could try the park anyway," She mumbled as she headed on over to the park.

When she got there, she did notice Takato. He was just sitting on his usual spot he would go to play the digimon card game with Kazu and Kenta.

Rika just snuck up on Takato, and when speaking, kind of scared him, "Takato?"

"Ah!" Takato jumped, when she said that. "Rika?" Takato was organizing his cards, and when he jumped, most of them fell down.

Rika giggled, "Okay, goggle boy, I just… well… here let me help you first."

Help? From Rika? Takato was confused at this behavior from her, but was glad she did it, and so he smiled.

After all the cards were picked up, Rika finished telling him what she was meaning to tell him.

"I'm really, really sorry Takato… I shouldn't have acted that way. I just… I just thought that…"

Rika was looking down, and Takato could tell she was having real trouble finishing it. "It's okay, I understand. Well, kinda."

And then she just spit it out really fast, "I just thought that you weren't sincere about what you said, and that you were joking about it the whole time."

"Well, I kind of wasn't… but that's okay, it's a typical misunderstanding."

"No, Takato, it's not okay. I just thought nobody really cared about me… and then you came along… and I've just been really treating people like crap and…" That she was just saying a lot at once, but saying that about Takato made him start blushing, but she didn't realize it.

"And after today… a lot's happened today… I just look at you differently. I don't know why, it's just something about you is different from other people." Like usual, she was looking at the ground while saying that too, because, though this was unusual, she felt stupid saying it.

Takato just continued to look at her in utter amazement, because he has never witnessed this side of her before! Rika does have a nice side! Well, kinda!

"And you know what, Rika?" Takato started with a smile, while Rika started looking up, "It's done the same for me, too. It's just because well," Takato started putting his hand behind his head and getting nervous, so he just sat back down to the wall of the park item he was in, "I never realized you could be so nice, not to say that in a mean way, and sensitive, and beautiful, and…"

Rika was really shocked about him saying that. "Did I say beautiful? I meant brutally honest!" Takato had that slip, and that was really a bad slip for him.

That made Rika start blushing, and she didn't really know what to say. Run away this time? Nah, she decided to try something new, and face her feelings rather than run from her emotions. "Thanks, Takato."

"And, I don't usually slip, but I'd better just say it now before I regret it later. Earlier, today, I noticed something about you, but it was strange. I can't explain what it was, but it was something really good, something that not everybody has. I know I saw sincerity and honesty when I looked into your eyes, but there was something else."

"That's funny, because I saw the same thing in you." Takato said, while looking down. "I know, this is kind of awkward. Maybe even more awkward than earlier, but, well, thanks for saying that Rika. It means a lot. And I know this is really strange, too, but, I think I know what that emotion, that we both felt, was."

Rika arose fast, "Really, what? I really want to know, because I've never felt it before, or if I have, it was never that strong. Fear? Happiness? Embarrassment?"

Takato laughed, "No, not any of those… well, maybe those mixed together. I think… I think… I think…"

"Yeah! Spit it out goggle head!" Rika shouted.

Takato coughed, "We both liked each other at that moment." And he coughed again.

Rika just stopped and laid back. "You know…" She said, while looking into his eyes, "I think you're right, we both actually liked each other as friends then!"

Takato just laughed again, "What's so funny?" Rika asked curiously.

Takato just put his hand behind his head again, and said, "Well, I didn't mean that kind of like…"

She just stared at him. "You're kidding?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding?"

The girl just looked around, while lying, "Yes." But she couldn't help but laugh too. "Unfortunately, I think you're right… because I haven't ever felt that before…"

Takato just watched her as she just stared off into space again, not making any eye to eye contact. "You don't need to like me if you don't want to, I mean, I'd understand… but I'm not going to lie, because I do think you are beautiful."

That snapped her out of it, and he just scooted closer to her, and said, "I'm serious."

"Thanks Takato," Rika said, while this time she's putting her hand behind her head. "You're not that bad looking yourself, even for a goggle head."

That made them both laugh, and they both just kept on talking and talking for hours on end.

"Oh no, any idea what time it is!" Rika asked, "It's getting really late, it's dark outside already."

"It's 8:14" Takato answered for her. "It's been really nice talking to you Rika. And my parents are probably going to kill me for not being home since this morning…"

So, they both wandered out of where they had been, and under the street lights they told each other good bye. But Takato, he came up closer to Rika and actually gave her a hug. (What courage he definitely has in here, huh? xD)

And Rika returned his hug, with a small kiss. "Thanks so much Takato… for some reason, I haven't felt so angry today. I think it's because I was around you. There's something about goggle heads."

And they both just wandered off into the night, waving good bye to each other until they were both out of sight.