Blackcat314: Ugghhh...major writer's block...

Calumon: She doesn't own Digimon! Bandai does!

Blackcat314: How do you keep up that chipper appearance...?

Calumon: I've been programmed to smile

Ruki sighed as she looked up into the stars deep in the night. It was midnight now, and there wasn't a sound. Not even a bird. The stars were bright, and a cool night breeze blew. She was sitting by the window in her room, elbows propped up on the sill. She was thinking about the photo shoot tryout.

It was peaceful and quiet, and she loved that. Although the D-Reaper incident made her warmer towards others, it never changed her liking for peace and quiet, and dislike for loud social gatherings. She simply didn't dig gossiping with girls in a group, nor the boys' judgments on other girls about their body. She absolutely didn't dig making small talk with people randomly.

When they had come home shortly after the shoot, her mother had gushed about how that made her absolutely proud, that her daughter has a chance to model the Yamashita brand of fine clothing and bridal wear. It was simply known as the best in Japan. Only the Royal family (a/n:Japan has a royal family, but they're just figureheads..no political power), rich billionaires, and extremely famous stars could afford clothing from Yamashita Bridal and Fine clothing Boutique. Her mother had even claimed she loved the proofs so much (a/n: in professional photography, proofs are raw pictures, slightly refined shots that can be refined and modified for ads, but generally, they look like candid shots or family pictures) she'll ask for extra copies to put into a photo album, and one as a gift to Ryo.

'Do we really fit together so much?' Ruki thought randomly as she stared up at the stars. She wasn't quite able to describe how it felt to be lifted by him, his breath hot against her ear. They were just that close before. It just felt so light...like she was floating with feathers...when he picked her up and spun her around. It was a pleasant feeling of simple, childish happiness. Before she knew it herself, bubbly giggles erupted from her lips.

When Ryo had asked her whether she was having fun, his eyes shone a bright blue, like sapphires. 'Or like these bluish stars.' She thought absentmindedly as she reflected on that unique feeling from before.

'Ugh, get a grip, girl. You're sounding like some sappy, lovesick little girl. You're only doing this for the dough, remember. As soon as you get enough dough, you'll settle that deal. His money back, your dolls back. Nothing more to do with him.' As soon as this thought came through, Ruki felt as though a bolt of lightning had stabbed through her heart and clean through her back. Without understanding why, a single tear pooled out of her left eye and rolled down her cheek, dropping out the window to the bushes below.

'Why am I crying? Isn't it great that you wouldn't have to have anything to do with him anymore?' Ruki stared at her hands, confused. However, before she had time to figure it all out for herself, a warm, dulcet tone spoke up, towards her. It was low and gentle, a strong , steady voice.

"So even the Ice Queen sheds tears." Ryo commented softly as he stared at the object of his affections a storey above him. He had come to at least se her good night, and it was quite fine if she never took notice of him. He simply wanted to see her. He missed her, that photo shoot was beyond what he's ever hoped for with her. He hadn't even counted on ever seeing her again after the D-Reaper incident and everyone returned to their lives. It was a huge stroke of good fortune for him. But with good comes the bad, and the warm tear that just landed on his cheek was proof of that.

Had needing to pose as his wife hurt her so much? So much that it made her cry alone in the dead of the night? 'Maybe I shouldn't be here. Today already made her cry.' Ryo thought as he turned to leave. "Wait!" Ruki called out, loud enough for him to hear, but not enough to wake up anyone. Ryo stopped, and turned back, surprised that she didn't just throw another insult or sarcastic remark. "Yes?" he asked softly.

"Why...why are you here?" Ruki asked uncertainly. Crying out of the blue fazed her just as well as Ryo being here. "I wanted to see you." Was the simple reply he gave. "Why?" She asked again. "You're hurt. Something has upset you...it's me, isn't it?" Ryo asked quietly again, his head bent down. "No...I don't know...I..." Ruki trailed off, not quite sure about what was going on herself. She was so lost at the moment.

Ryo snapped his head up again. There was definitely something wrong now. He had expected some snide remark about it being his fault, or his face being there...something with him as the fault...so he was absolutely taken off guard when she replied with uncertainty. He took hold of the branches of a tree beside her window, and climbed up.

"W-what are you doing!?" Ruki asked. It was her turn to be surprised this time. She watched with a held breath as he climbed up towards her. Finally, he was level with her, and with a swift hop, he landed on her window sill. Her eyes widened with fright and her body seemed to be moving on their own, as she backed away and more tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Ruki, what happened? It's today, isn't it? I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have taken the liberty to do that. I embarrassed you, that's what made you so frustrated and sad, isn't it?" Ryo said softly, after he landed in her room and swept her up into a soft embrace. "Uhh...uhh..." Ruki only managed to choke out between sobs, while she shook her head violently.

"No...? Then what is...?" Ryo asked softly, blue eyes locked with amethyst ones. "I—I don't...wheeze know..." Ruki choked out finally, after a while. "Alright, then...I won't ask. If you want to cry, you can borrow my shoulder. I'm here for you." He assured her softly, holding her close as he felt his sweater get soaked with hot tears. "Shhh...it's all going to be alright..." he soothed her softly, his hands running idly through her soft locks (a/n: yeah, Ruki's hair is untied and washed, bet it must be super enticing to Ryo, ne?).

It seemed like hours that she had cried on him. Finally, the tears stopped. Ruki felt so torn. On one hand, she had her pride and her word to keep up. She WILL settle the deal. On the other hand, she'd have no reason to contact Ryo if she did. Well, she could, but that would give him the smug satisfaction. She raised her head and looked up at Ryo, who stared right back at her. "You okay now?" He asked, still softly. "Um...yeah. By the way..." Ruki started sheepishly. "Mmmhmm?" Ryo asked, looking at her.

"Not a word of this to anyone, or I'll personally make sure you have no children in the future." Ruki threatened, her demeanour returned. Ryo smiled, he hadn't thought he'd actually be glad to see her ice cold mask again. "Alright, alright. I promise that if I leak this out, I'll wear condoms and lather spermicide every time we have sex in the future." Ryo joked. Ruki hadn't expected him to reply with that. She flushed beet red, and punched him in the arm. She took a glance at the clock, 3 am in the morning, it read. "Get out of my house!" she hissed, "It's 3 already! Go sleep, and NOT in my bed or my house!"

'Aww...she's so cute when she blushes.' He thought as he climbed out the window and landed softly on the ground below, making his way home. He lived on his own now, so there was naturally no father to worry about him, though it wasn't as if his father would be worried even if he still did live with him.

Blackcat314: Yepp...overly fluffy and sappy mood, but no bridal wear involved. Please R&R, I don't mind flames, but please give a good reason for it. If it's not, I'll use it to cook your flesh, and feed it to Pocky! (my neighbour's wolf...that's right, it's not an Alaskan dog she has, she actually has a wolf that she found before she moved here, it's awesome! It's so tame, it actually acts like a dog!)