A/N: GOMEN NASAI for the long update!! ; I've been on a long Easter vacation without Internet, so I couldn't post! I know it is a bad excuse, but that is how it is! For those of you who still stick with me, thank you so very much!! I will update more now, as I'm home! If it helps, two weeks without Internet was torture to me, so that's my punishment... If it not enough, tell me, and I will go punish myself! (Seriously, I can do it!!) Again, GOMEN NASAI!!
I tried a small Henrika/Jenruki hinting here, although I don't think I managed very well... I was a bit hesitant, because only two said they would have a Jenruki, so I tried not to offend the other readers... Tell me what I should stick with, please!
Again... GOMEN NASAI for the long update!!
Disclaimer: Sadly enough, I don't own anything, perhaps beside the plot. Okay?
He Needs Us There
"Stupid homework..." Rika mumbled to herself as she tried to finish her homework. It was chemistry, a subject that neither made sense, nor was especially entertaining. Not that any of her subjects were especially exciting, though. They were all just the same... Boring knowledge that had to be written at least five different times in and connections. Not that anyone learned more by that then just watching the chapter headline. Except perhaps those who actually took interest in school. Which was, in reality, basically no one... School was just plain boring.
Rika mentally slapped herself. She was spacing out again. School wasn't getting any funnier, despite her wishes. She would just have to stay focused and survive.
She snorted at herself. Survive school? Surviving the Digital World was easier. She sighed and leant back in her chair while sucking her pencil. What wouldn't she give to be back in the old days right now? Fighting evil, but weak, digimon, living easily, having real friends everywhere (because she actually saw them as her friends, although they thought she didn't), fighting together against the worst enemy of them all, the D-Reaper -
This time, Rika slapped herself for real. A sickening sound could be heard as her slim hand hit her chin. She blinked at the pain she inflicted on herself, but knew she deserved it. How could she wish to be back in the battle against the D-Reaper? To be fighting again, side by side with her friends, when that battle had taken one of her friends, and Henry's best friend?
When she thought about it, though, she realized that the battle had not taken one of her friends. It had taken two.
Ever since the battle, Henry was naught, but an empty shell. He went to school, but never talked, nor smiled anymore. He didn't interact, or socialize, except with his memories. He never showed any emotions, but Rika knew that he felt them, nevertheless. Everyday, he stood up, ate, went to school, sat in the park, walked home, and slept. The next day was just the same. He would never respond, even though his friends tried to make him. Not even his sister could change his behaviour. It was as if he didn't care about anything anymore. He was alive, but he was not living. He was only an empty shell. The fight had taken Henry away.
Because Henry was the calm, cool, collected, yet kind and caring person they all knew. He always put others in front of himself, and would not doubt a second if questioned to give his life to save on of his friends. He would never hurt anyone, but always take care of everyone. Rika wasn't sure if he could ever do that again, willingly or not.
She sighed again. Her chemistry wasn't going to be done tonight, and she knew it. So, she packed it away and instead found an old photo of herself, Renamon, Takato, Guilmon, Henry and Terriermon.
'We look so happy...' She thought sadly as she studied their faces. Takato and Guilmon had their arms around their shoulder, while grinning wildly and giving a peace-sign. Herself and Renamon stood rather passively, but with what could be called a happy look. Henry had Terriermon on his shoulder in the customary way, smiling casually with one hand in his pocket. Terriermon, though, was in the middle of a shout and a smile, which was seen so often on the rabbit.
'Which we will never see again...'
Suddenly, the phone rang out in the hall. Rika just rolled her eyes and shook her head. Her Grandma would probably take it. Rika never did, so the old woman did it out of habits, which suited Rika perfectly.
As she expected, the ringing soon stopped. What she didn't expect, though, was her Grandma poking her head into her room with the phone in her hands a few seconds later.
"Rika, dear," she said with a gentle smile. "Phone for you."
Rika looked a bit surprised, but accepted the phone.
"Yes?"
"Rika?" The person in the other end said. Rika raised an eyebrow while her Grandma silently walked out and closed the door behind her. Takato.
"Yes?" She replied, sounding rather annoyed. "What is it? I'm doing chemistry." Okay, that was a lie. She had done chemistry, but not anymore. She just simply couldn't take Takato and his wabbling right now.
"It's Takato..." he started, but was cut off by Rika.
"Yeah, I figured, Gogglehead. What do you want?"
She could hear Takato sigh, and basically see his annoyed expression. She smiled slightly.
"It's about Henry."
Rika froze. Henry. She knew Takato had more contact, if it could be called contact, with Henry than herself at the time. But even towards his best friend, Henry was emotionless. Why did Takato phone her...?
"O-okay..." she said, a bit friendlier than before. She wanted to help Henry, so she could at least listen to Takato.
She could basically feel Takato smile at the other end.
"Good. You see, I'm worried about him." Rika rolled her eyes, but kept her tongue. 'Aren't we all?'
"I have talked to him, several times, but I can't seem to reach him. Do you think you could try?"
Rika snickered. "Me?" she inquired, though with a bit of smile. "If you can't help, how do you think I can? You're ten times more emotional than me, and you're best friends!" She couldn't help but feel flattered, though. Takato really thought she could help Henry? She hoped so herself, secretly, but was afraid of failing.
"You are good friends too, Rika." A pause. "You have a special... Understanding, towards each other. One that I can never dream of having. Please Rika. Try, at least. It can't do any harm."
Rika hesitated. 'It can't do any harm', Takato said. But she feared it would... What if she, unintentionally, reopened old wounds that would never fully heal?
"I... I'm afraid it can, Takato..." she whispered sadly. Takato made a dumb sound.
"What if I say the wrong things?" she started. "What if I say something to make him hurt even more again? You know I'm capable of doing so, even if I don't want to. I just..." She paused. What she was about to say, was very uncharacteristically. She knew that Takato would be surprised, that she, Rika, the Ice Queen, could care so much about anyone besides Renamon. But she braced herself and said it anyway, in a weak, quiet and sad voice.
"I just don't want to hurt him. I don't wanna see him hurt. It pains me, too. I can't see him get hurt because of my words."
"Then don't speak." Rika frowned.
"What?"
"Don't speak. Just let him know that you're there. That you're there for him if he needs you. Because he does. He needs us all, even though he doesn't know it himself. In the future, he will realize. It is better that we're here for him for the start. I've already told him. But my words alone won't be enough. He needs you. Your presence. Please, Rika. I know you know it's right. You're just afraid to express your emotions to anyone else. But you showed me. Show Henry too. He's the one needing it."
Rika was speechless. She never thought Takato had such wisdom. Now, she was stunned. Stunned, suprised, embarrased, and defeated. But the feeling that overwhelmed it all, was the feeling that told her that Takato was right. Henry really needed them. Herself. Takato. Suzie. Jeri. Ryo. Even Kenta and Kazu. He needed them all. She would help.
"Takato..." she started, while trying to sound confident. "I will. You're right. We gotta help him. We can't let him suffer alone. I know we can't bring Terriermon back, and we can't make him forget his loss. But we can ease his pain. We can at least help him as far as we are capable of doing it."
She knew Takato smiled. If nothing else, she could almost hear his lips curve up in a gentle smile. She couldn't help but smile herself. She felt a boost of confidence stream through her veins, and she knew that if she could help Henry even the tiniest, she would do it.
Thanks for reading! I was not sure whether or not to include Rika's meeting with Henry, but I decided not to. Sorry.. :P Anyways, please review! I won't say don't flame, because flamers flame no matter what the author says. Then I would at least know what I did wrong.. And PLEASE help me about the Jenruki-matter. I really need help there, especially when I'm gonna write the next chapter.
And again... GOMEN NASAI for the long update!! Sorry! Enschuldigund! Unnskyld! Beklager! Pardon! Gomen!
Caellie
