A/N: It's been a while since I've posted. Hopefully this works. This is one of the first long fanfics I ever wrote. It's from my middle school days, so please, don't condemn me for the completely cliche and cheesy plot and dialogue. I've been trying to finish up old projects and get them posted, so I decided to type up this one. Hopefully you'll enjoy it, and ignore the fact that it's a little out of character. Please let me know if I've missed any errors. I don't use an editor and would like to know if there are any mistakes. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy my story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or any of the characters in this story. The plot, however, is original.

Winter's Gifts

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"Alright Henry, 6:00. See ya then!"

"See ya, Takato!" Henry Wong hung up the phone, satisfied. Takato was coming. Now things were set. Jeri, Kenta, and Kazu all knew their parts, but it was time that Rika was clued in. He sighed. He knew that she was free, he just didn't know if she'd come. Knowing her, she'd try to make some excuse. Especially after he told her what he was planning.

'Nope, she definitely will find a reason not to come...Unless I don't tell her…" He smiled a decidedly un-Henry-like, devious smile, then picked up the phone and began dialing Rika's number…

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"Okay, 4:00 tonight. Little short notice, don'cha think, Henry?"

"Sorry, Rika, but we were having trouble getting times arranged so everyone could come."

"Well, I guess I'll have to go buy a birthday present for goggle-head. My mom will be thrilled that I want to go shopping…You owe me one, Henry!"

"Ha! Good luck! Just remember, don't tell Takato, okay? Alright, Bye Rika!"

"Humph! Bye, Henry."

Rika Nonaka turned away form the telephone and went to find her mother, who was home, for once. Ms. Nonaka was overjoyed when Rika asked to be taken shopping. She smiled her glorious super-model smile and began to gush.

"Oh, honey, I'm so glad that you've decided to come with me! We'll get you a whole new wardrobe! I saw the perfect little outfit…"

"Mother, I'm not shopping for clothes, I need a present for my friend's birthday."

"Oh, are you going to a party? You'll need a dress, and shoes, and…"

"Mother!"

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"Okay, what else is there to do?"

Henry paced restlessly, and then looked at his watch. Finally! He could get dressed for the party, without seeming too eager. He didn't want his parents teasing him tonight. He grabbed his new clothes out of the closet. Slipping on his black pants and black shirt, he pulled on a red vest and started combing his hair. Mind running on overdrive, he started going over the plans for the evening.

It was to be a double party, celebrating Christmas and Takato's birthday. Takato didn't know though, as long as no one had let it slip. Right now, he'd be getting ready for an ordinary Christmas party. The house was clean, now he just had to wait for Rika…

'Great. What am I gonna tell her? "Hey, Rika, now that you're all ready for a party, how about helping me with some manual labor?" Sure, Henry, that'll work!' Still, the job had to be done.

Bzzzzt!

"She's here!"

Henry raced for the door. He slid to a stop, his stocking feet slipping on the smooth floor. Straightening his vest, he took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Hello," said the lovely woman outside his door. "Are you Henry?"

"Uh, y-y-yes, ma'am."

"Oh!" she squealed, "You are such a cute boy! I'm Rika's mother. I know Rika will be furious, but I just have to ask, but are you her boyfriend?"

"Uhn…"

"Mother!" a young girl in a green dress appeared, fuming, her face as bright as her red hair.

"Rika? Is that you?"

"Don't say a word, Henry. Mom, there will be time for intros later. Henry and I have to go now."

"Bye, Ms. Nonaka, it was nice meeting you." Henry called as Rika shut the door in her mother's smiling face. He looked at her, then simply stood, eyes and mouth wide, staring at the new Rika.

"You look…different, ih – in a dress, I mean." And she did. Her hair hung loose in waves over her shoulders. A flowing emerald green dress flattered her slim figure as she stood there, holding several bundles. Finally, her voice roused him out of his day dreaming.

"Where can I put these? Hurry, Henry, I don't have all day!"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, uh, they can go on the table."

Rika dropped the packages, rummaged through them, and came up holding a single bundle.

"Where can I go change?"

"Huh?"

"You know, change, as in put on different clothes?"

"Umm, through here."

Henry's parents looked up as the two walked past.

"You must be Rika," Henry's mom smiled. "I've heard so much about you from Henry. It's nice to meet you."

"Rika," said Henry, "This is my mom, my dad, and my little sister, Susie."

"I'm glad to meet all of you," Rika said, surprising Henry by smiling pleasantly.

"Come on, Rika, I'll show you where the bathroom is."

They walked down the hallway, Henry slightly ahead of Rika.

"Watch your step!" Henry warned as he stepped down a small stair. Too late. Rika tripped, staggered a few steps, and fell…

Right into Henry's arms.

"Whoa, gotta watch your step!" he exclaimed, before he noticed that she was shaking. 'What? What's wrong?'

"Hey, it's okay Rika, I've got you," he murmured reassuringly. "You're alright. I won't let you fall." He stroked her hair with one hand. Rika relaxed, and her shaking stopped. She looked up at him, and then seemed to realize for the first time that she was wrapped in his arms. She struggled upright and pushed away from him.

"Here's the bathroom, Rika. You can change in here."

"Uh, okay, thanks."

The door closed, and Henry slowly turned away. He went to his room, flopped on his bed, and heaved a giant sigh. Why had he been all 'It's okay, I've got you,' making himself sound like some sort of lovesick idiot? And even stranger, why did it seem to calm her? In fact, why was she so scared in the first place? Henry sat up, confused. Rika, scared of something as simple as tripping? The girl who had taken on single-handedly taken on Harpymon, unarmed, falling, sobbing, into his arms? Not that he minded, he smiled to himself, as he lay back with his hands behind his head. But he was still confused. What had frightened her so much?