Ever-Evolving

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon nor do I want to.

There was something wrong with this girl. That was the first thought that crossed the mind of Takato Matsuki at the age of 12 when he first met Rika. The bright red hair tied in a pineapple-shaped bun, the t-shirt with a broken heart at the center, a studded belt with a deck holder, and red shoes with metal toe guards. And to top it off, she has a punk personality combined with a bad attitude!

Now, Takato is not someone to judge quickly, but even he knew that it would be best to avoid Rika Nonaka at all costs. Because there was no way the two of them can be friends.

But destiny has ways to put things in motion and change a person… or persons.

After the D-Reaper crisis Rika's attitude changed dramatically to Takato's limited understanding of the female counterparts. She no longer had a scowl defaulted on her lips, but more of a neutral line. Her thin brows don't crease in anger or frustration. Her arms are looser rather than always fold tightly across her chest.

When they entered high school at Tsukishima General High School (A/N: I know this school is in Digimon Adventure tri, but this is the only high school they mention in the anime and it's in Japan.) that was when Takato started to notice a change in Rika. She was less grumpy and indifferent towards others. She still held on to her pride and confidence, but there was a hint of humbleness about it. What surprised Takato the most about the change in his friend was the way she acted around him. She always laughed when he said or did something embarrassing, yet it was not out of pleasure for his humiliation, but out of affection with her catchphrase "Stupid Googlehead". Rika seems to always be close when they walk around and occasionally, (at least Takato has been aware for some time) she would cling to his arm and pull him close.

Takato couldn't put his finger on it but he noticed that Rika became somewhat… possessive of him. He knew that it started during their senior year at high school, whenever a girl, no matter how young or how old they were, would approach him Rika would cling to his arm, pull him close and give that unfortunate female a death glare (a glare that to this day still scares the daylight out of Takato).

Looking back, Takato was not sure if he could be friends with Rika, let alone get along with her. She was brash, hot-heated, and rude. She had impossibly high standards and looked down on everyone, even her partner Digimon, Renamon.

But that was fourteen years ago.

Now, walking in West Shinjuku park hand in hand with the same girl who has changed and evolved into a remarkable young woman, Takato can't help but marvel at her. Her strength, compassion, talents, beauty. Rika was truly one-of-a kind.

Rika notices him gazing at her, "What?" she asks.

"Nothing," replied Takato, smiling, "just thinking about us."

"What about?"

"About how much we changed, and how much we haven't."

Rika raised an elegant eyebrow at his response. After a moment she giggle and pulled Takato close to her.

"Stupid Gogglehead. You could've just said you were thinking about me," Rika said lovingly.

Takato smiled and kissed her hair, " I know."

They shared a chaste kiss and continued walking along the path. Rika has evolved and is continuing to evolve right before Takato's eyes. From a lonely girl, to friend, to best friend, and currently his girlfriend.

Takato placed his left hand in pocket where a small blue box was hiding, hoping that when he showed it to Rika, she would agree to evolve to the next stage of being his wife.

A/N: And there it is, my first fanfiction! Please feel free to comment on how it did. Reviews are definitely needed, and critiques are welcome! What did you like, what should I work on? Just go easy on me. Spare my pride… and my ego. Hahaha!

Black Loki