Italics = thoughts
"Quotes" = dialogue
bold = 'The Master's' words and thoughts.
underlined = reading something that is written
Disclaimer: I do not own digimon or any of its characters. I do however claim ownership of any original characters introduced.
Chapter 8: A Picnic Gone Awry
Ryo's alarm clock goes off at 8:30 and he blinks his eyes drowsily as he sits up, pushing the blankets down and shifting his feet to the floor. He stretches his limbs, popping noises filling the room, and he pushes himself off the bed and onto his feet.
Wandering downstairs, he finds Monodramon already up, enjoying a glass of milk at the kitchen table. His father sits across from him, reading the Sunday paper. "Sleep well, son?" he asks without looking up. "Yea, pretty well at least," he says, dropping into the seat next to his partner. "Well eat some breakfast and get yourself washed and dressed. You don't want to be late for your friends' picnic."
Ryo smirks at his father but chooses not to say anything. He pours himself a glass of milk and butters some toast, giving a couple slices to Monodramon, which he devours almost instantly.
His father folds up his newspaper and places it on the table. "When can I expect you home?" Ryo shrugs. "Probably not too late, but I honestly don't know how long I'll be there."
His father stands and exits the room without saying anything further. Monodramon finishes off his glass of milk and turns to his partner. "I'm going to shower and then we can head out, buddy," Ryo says, standing and grabbing the soiled plates and glasses. "I know you're worried Ryo, but maybe if we tell the others, they could help us…"
"No way! We can't put this on them; at least not until we're sure its him," Ryo barked out immediately.
"But if it is him…"
"We'll deal with it when the time comes, Monodramon. I'd prefer not to get the others mixed into that fight."
"Well the sovereigns haven't called for us, so maybe we're worried over nothing," Monodramon adds, trying to lift his tamer's spirits.
"It's also possible that they can't get a message to us though…"
Ryo walks out of the kitchen and up the stairs, Monodramon following behind him until he enters the bathroom, closing the door in Monodramon's face.
Henry punched rapidly, stepping into a kick before following up with a roundhouse kick. His sensei dodges each strike, stepping back and to the sides as well as leaning out of reach. Henry kicks once more and this time, his sensei catches him by the foot and lowers him to the ground.
"Not bad, Henry," his sensei remarks, gesturing for him to rise. You are improving…"
"Thank you, sensei," Henry says, bowing to his teacher.
"…but I sense something is on your mind."
"Seriously, is this guy psychic or something?" Terriermon pipes in from his spot on the side.
The sensei gestures for Henry to take a seat at a small table on the side and he pours some tea for the three of them. "No, I am not psychic, but the mind can often be read through the body. His movements are more rigid then usual and his eyes are unfocused."
"I am sorry, sensei," Henry says, bowing his head low. "A lot has happened recently."
"Yes, I saw the news. I am presuming you are concerned about losing your friend," the sensei says while gesturing to Terriermon who is chugging his tea.
"Well, yea, but it's more than that…" Henry says, placing his cup down. "A friend of mine is really down right now and he won't talk to me about it. I'm pretty sure it's about this girl, Jeri, who is one of our friends, but…"
"I am sure he will talk when he is ready to. You mustn't try to force him. You may only succeed in pushing him further behind whatever defenses he has felt necessary to construct for the time being."
Henry pursed his lips and peered up to look at his teacher. "But I don't want him to be miserable like he is right now. What can I do?"
The sensei shrugs his shoulders. "Sometimes it is easier to confide in someone who has confided in them. Try opening up to him and he may feel more comfortable talking to you about his problem."
Henry bows his head, a smile stretching across his features. "Thank you, sensei."
"Oh sure take his advice but ignore mine," Terriermon jeers, feigning annoyance.
"That's because you're idea was to annoy it out of him…" Henry said, rubbing his partner's head.
"Well Rika does it all the time, and it works for her."
"Terriermon… There is a difference between annoy and intimidate, you know."
"Well I believe that is all for today's lesson. I'll see you on Wednesday."
"Thank you again, sensei," Henry says bowing as Terriermon jumps onto his shoulder.
Henry runs out of the dojo and back toward home to prepare for the picnic.
As he approaches the apartment door, his father exits. "Henry, back from practice?"
"Yea. I just want to wash up before heading to the park," he says as he reaches his dad.
"Yea, you smell almost as bad as Vikralamon," Terriermon quips.
"Terriermon…" Henry says, his face reddening.
"Momentai, Henry. It's not like we passed any girls on the way here."
"Well try to have fun today and don't worry about this whole mess with the digimon. We'll take care of it."
"Yea, hopefully not like last time…" Henry mutters under his breath.
Janyuu walks around him and heads down the hall. "Henry…" he says, turning to look over his shoulder. "I know it's hard for you to trust me after last time, but I really do want to make it up to you. I promise, I'll do everything I can to make this right. I won't let them take your or your friends' digimon away."
Henry gives a light smile to his dad. "Come on Henry! You're dad just promised that and all you're gonna give him is a smile?" Henry racks his partner on the head before walking up to his dad and hugging him. "Thanks dad… I'm really sorry. I know you mean well and I really do believe you want to help."
Janyuu tightens his grip on his son. "I really do Henry. And you have my word, I will never do anything like what I did with the D-Reaper again. You and your friends come first…"
Rika was the first to arrive at Guilmon's hut. She took a seat under a nearby tree and kept her gaze on the concrete steps leading up to the hut, waiting for the others' arrival. "We are very early, Rika," Renamon says, phasing in next to her. Rika shrugs. "We don't really have anything else to be doing and if I stayed home much longer, mom would try to drag me to one of her photo shoots." Renamon's muzzle contorts into a sly smirk. "Is that the only reason you left early?" Rika turns a cold stare in Renamon's direction. "Are you implying something?"
"You walked right past that same store from a couple nights ago. The one with those dresses in the window…" Rika lets out a chuckle. "You think I'm interested in one of those frilly dresses?"
"Well you did spend quite an amount of time looking in the store windows of that street…"
"I was just bored and in no particular rush to get home she stated as her cheeks began to tinge pink. "Really? Then why are you blushing?" she asks, her sly grin still plastered on her muzzle.
"Watch it Renamon…"
"But of course. Forgive me if I stepped out of turn," she says, bowing her small head.
"No, it's not that… It's… Well, it's complicated."
"There's nothing complicated about liking a boy…"
"Renamon!"
She phases out before another word is said.
Rika rolls her eyes and turns her attention back to the steps in time to see Takato climbing up with Guilmon lumbering behind him, bags of bread and other goodies dangling on their arms.
"Well if it isn't gogglehead and dino boy," Rika remarked, a smirk on her face.
"Oh, hi Rika! Guess we're early, huh?"
"Yea… Listen gogglehead, I wanted to say I'm sorry about yesterday…"
Takato gave her a confused look.
"I'm not going to say it again."
Takato face turns red and he makes a placating gesture. "I heard you the first time. I just didn't know why you were apologizing, or that you even make apologies."
Rika rolls her eyes. "Yea well, don't get used to it. It's not something I intend to make a habit of." Takato laughs as he takes a seat next to her and pulls out some muffins. He hands her one and gives another to Guilmon, who eats it in a single bite.
"So…" she says, taking a bite from the muffin. "What were you doing in the park at 9:00 at night?" she asks, while elbowing him in the ribs.
Takato slumps down where he sat. "You really need a cell phone like me and Henry," she remarks, lightening her tone. Takato gives a small chuckle. "Probably, huh?"
Takato looks up at Rika and catches her eyes staring back at him. For a moment they just stare at each other before Rika diverts her gaze as Kazu, Kenta, and their partners make their way up the steps. "The life of the party has arrived!" Kazu shouts, striking a pose. "Heya, Kazu," Takato says, pushing himself back up to a sitting position.
"You're not starting without us, are you?" Henry and Suzie walk up, their partners hanging off their shoulders. With them is…
"Hey Jeri! Haven't seen you in a while!" Kenta remarks. "Good to see you too, Kenta. Kazu." She says, shaking each of their hands. Rika stands to greet her and soon Ryo and Monodramon arrive. "Alright, looks like everyone that I called is here. Let's eat!" Henry remarks, opening up a bag and distributing sodas. "Takato, you brought bread, right?" Takato nods and stands, carrying the bags over to the others. He opens them and each tamer and digimon takes what they want.
"I know its about two years late, but welcome back, guys!" Henry shouts.
Alice looks outside the window of the hut. "The storm is beginning to weaken. It will probably dissipate within the next 10 to 15 hours. I need to know now whether or not you're in."
Kotemon fidgets a little in his seat. "I really don't know. I mean, if what you say is true, and the digital world is in danger, I would be honored to help, but you said my sovereign has opted not to confront him. And besides, he told me never to trust humans…"
"Then trust a fellow digimon," Alice's canine companion growls. "Dobermon, don't intimidate him. This has to be his choice."
Kotemon jumps from his seat and grabs his wooden sword. He slips it into a holding pouch on his back and struts up to the much taller Alice. "I'll go, but only if Zhuqiaomon sends me." Alice grimaces at this. "That's not likely to happen, and we're losing time. We need the full might of the tamers behind us if we are to hope to win. I know this is hard, but I'm asking you to break ranks and do the right thing so as to save your sovereign's quadrant."
Kotemon peers out the window at the swirling winds and blowing sand. "You're sure the dark god has returned and is intent on dominating the digital world?" Alice nods. Kotemon sighs. "My sovereign threw me out. Perhaps if I help you save his quadrant, he will reinitiate me. I'm in."
Alice smiles at this. "Good. We'll set off as soon as the storm ends. The faster we get you to the Real World the better."
"And once there, I should find the tamers and deliver your message to them?"
Alice nods. "You will find one in particular to give our message to. His name is Ryo…"
Takato sits on top of Guilmon's hut, his partner sitting beside him. The picnic had been fun, despite the tension with Jeri. He had not dared to try to speak to her, and it didn't seem that anyone noticed, or at least no one pointed it out.
Ryo walked up beside him and took a seat. He had finally managed to get away from Kazu and Kenta, who were busy cheering on an eating contest between Terriermon and Calumon. "Hey Guilmon, would you do me a favor and keep Monodramon company? He's kind of upset about ruining that game of tag."
"Umm, okay!" Guilmon says, jumping to his feet and loping off. Takato looks at him quizzically for a moment but turns his own gaze back to watching the others. "So Takato, Rika told me you missed our fight because you believe you saw a digimon go into the subway?"
Takato turns back to him and replies, "Well, yea. But I lost it in the tunnels…"
"Do you remember what it looked like?" Takato gave him a curious look. "A little. Why?"
"Tell me," Ryo said placing his arms behind his head nonchalantly. Takato scratched the back of his head. "It looked kind of like a giant bug… Six legs, a segmented tail and a hard shell."
"What color was it?" he asks, somewhat forcefully.
"I don't know… It was dark out… Probably black?"
That' definitely Armageddemon…
Ryo stands and starts to leave.
"Wait, what is it, Ryo?"
"It's nothing. I was just wondering."
Takato jumps to his feet and tags after him. "Well maybe I can help. You think you have an idea of what it is?"
"No…" Ryo states, clearly annoyed. "Oh…" Takato answers. "Listen, why don't you just go back and enjoy the picnic, ok?"
A flurry of anger shoots through Takato's chest. "Listen, I'm sorry that I wasn't there last night, but you gotta let me help!"
"I don't need your help! I need you to stay out of my way!"
Takato gives a hurt expression.
Oh great… Ryo sighs. "Look, Takato. I know you mean well, but I need you to trust me on this one. You can't help me. If I'm right, this is my problem." Takato's expression melts into that of confusion.
"Alright, how about this. I promise that if I decide to seek help, I'll go to you first. Sound fair?" Takato purses his lips together but gives a slight nod. "Thanks for understanding," Ryo says turning away. He places a hand to his mouth and whistles. "C'mon, Monodramon. We need to go." Monodramon stops wrestling with Guilmon and scampers off after his tamer.
"Is Ryo ok, Takatomon?"
"I don't know, Guilmon. Something is definitely up though…" And it has something to do with that digimon I tried to follow. I wonder what it is…
Henry finishes off a piece of Guilmon bread and turns to see Takato sitting atop Guilmon's hut. He begins to head over to him, but notices Ryo take a seat next to him. Hmm, maybe I'll get him later. He looks around and spies Rika talking to Jeri and walks towards them.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Henry says as he approaches. "Of course not, Henry!" Jeri, says giving him a warm smile. "So how have you been, Jeri? I don't think I've seen you for a few months."
"Oh, I've been just peachy. Odaiba reeks of sea salt and fish but you get used to it after a while. Thanks for inviting me here, by the way. I didn't realize how much I've missed everyone."
Henry returns her smile, his cheeks taking on a slight red hue. "Of course. We all missed you too. Especially Takato."
Jeri's smile disappears for a split moment but she quickly puts it back. Neither Henry nor Rika seem to notice.
Before the conversation can continue, Calumon flies in and lands on Jeri's shoulder, quickly scarfing down a piece of bread. Terriermon, Lopmon and MarineAngemon run up behind him, with Kazu, Kenta, Suzie and Guardromon bringing up the rear.
"Get that cream puff!" Terriermon yells, pointing at Calumon.
Henry steps between his partner and Jeri. "What's going on Terriermon?"
"I'll tell you what's going on amigo," Kazu starts in. "Calumon took the last piece of Guilmon bread!" Henry sweat drops as Jeri giggles and Rika rolls her eyes.
"That's it? Just ask gogglehead to go get more…"
"Well we would if we knew where he was…" Kenta says shyly.
"He's sitting on top of the hut with Ryo," Henry replies.
"No," Kazu says. "He and Ryo must have walked off at some point, because they're both gone."
"So wait till he gets back," Rika remarks.
"That's what I told them…" Suzie says, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"What if he doesn't come back though?" Kazu whines.
"Why wouldn't he come back?" Henry asks.
"Dude we're talking about the same Takato, right? He get's easily distracted, remember? Who knows how long he'll be gone!"
"Distracted is putting it lightly…" Terriermon says.
"Yea, more like totally absent-minded!" Kenta adds.
Henry lets out a sigh. "Ok, ok, I get it…"
Terriermon jumps up onto his partner's head. "Momentai, Henry. We're just kidding around."
"Yea, Henry," Kazu continues. "I like Takato as much as the next guy. Even if he is oblivious!"
"And clumsy!" Kenta adds.
"or a dork?" Rika adds, chuckling.
"and annoyingly naïve…." Jeri says.
"Don't forget bad at art!" Terriermon jests.
"Yea I guess he is pretty dis-coordinated, in more ways than one," Henry grants.
Everyone laughs. It is, however, short lived.
"Umm, guys…" Suzie says staring past them.
Henry turns around to see Takato staring at them. Terriermon jumps down off his head and says, "Uh oh. Someone check the waterworks…"
Before any of them can say another word, he bolts off.
"Takatomon, wait up!" Guilmon shouts, running after him.
"Great going everybody…" Suzie says as she takes off after them.
Rika and Henry quickly follow behind while the others stare at their retreating forms. "Did we say something wrong?" Guardromon asks?
Takato runs off the park path and into the bushes, hiding amongst the shrubs. Moments later, Guilmon dashes past, followed by Suzie, and then by Henry and Rika. Once they are a small distance away, Takato exits the shrubs and heads down an alternate path, which leads him to the lake. He sits down on one of the benches and curls up. They were just joking around, Takato. Pull yourself together. But no matter how much he thought this, he still couldn't shake the insults they thought he'd never hear.
"That was really clever heading into the bushes. But you do realize I invented that one." Takato looks up to see Suzie standing next to him. "I guess I should have been more creative, huh…"
Suzie sits down next to him. "If you knew where I was, why'd you keep running?"
"Would you accept that I wanted to talk to you without my brother attempting to shower you with apologies?"
Takato frowns and pulls his legs closer. "I don't even know why I ran off. I know they were just joking. I really shouldn't be so overly sensitive…"
Suzie places a hand on his back, rubbing it up and down in a gesture of comfort. "No, Kazu, Kenta, and Terriermon are just inconsiderate bakas."
Henry and Rika catch sight of them, but Henry pulls Rika aside and signals for her to be quiet.
"And then there's Jeri… I was almost shocked when I heard her join in. I always wondered what you saw in her. She's always either too perky or too dreary," Suzie says, hoping to lighten his spirits. Unfortunately, Takato only seems to deflate further.
"This has to do with more than just a couple casual insults, doesn't it?" she asks him.
Takato moves his head in a nod. "Well, we're not going anywhere, and I'd say we got a good few minutes before Guilmon gets wise enough to sniff us out. Why don't you tell me what's wrong?"
Takato shifts himself to face her, his crimson eyes meeting her auburn ones. She takes his hand and gives it a comforting squeeze. "Ok…" he says. "When I went to return Calumon, Jeri kind of flipped on me and told me she hates me. She blames me for everything that's happened to her, from Leomon's death to her capture by D-Reaper, and… I started thinking that maybe she was right and that I just mess everything up…" Suzie gives his hand another comforting squeeze and he continues. "Then I missed that stupid fight because I saw that digimon go into the subway, only to lose it and let everyone down. Then Ryo spoke to me about it and I thought I might finally have the chance to do something to make up for not helping to fight that Aeroveedramon, but as soon as I told him what I knew, he said that I couldn't help him and he went off. I was hoping to go to Henry about it, but then…"
"Then you heard everyone making fun of you…" Suzie ended for him.
Henry's face softened. Rika moves to walk up to them but Henry again pulls her back. "Henry, you're dumber than Kazu if you think I'm going to sit here any longer. I cannot believe he would hide that from us! I'm going over there and beating whatever other secrets he has out of his think, goggled head!"
"Just let him finish on his own and then we can confront him on it," Henry says, without taking his eyes off his sister and friend. Rika rolls her eyes, crosses her arms, and hmphs, but otherwise does as Henry asks.
"Do you feel better now that you let that all out?" Suzie asks. Takato nods. "Will you be ok to go back and finish the picnic?" Takato turns away and drops his gaze. "I think I've had enough for today."
"Ok, then want me to walk home with you?"
Takato shakes his head. "No. It's all right. I'll be fine. Thanks Suzie." She gives him a hug which he gladly accepts. As they separate, she quickly plants a kiss on his cheek, causing him to blush. "Feel better, and if I see Guilmon, I'll send him home."
Rika gets up and turns to leave. "Where are you going?" Henry asks. "To talk to Jeri…" is all Rika says in reply. Henry scampers after her.
Kazu and Kenta decided to leave and look for Ryo, leaving Jeri and Calumon alone at Guilmon's hut. Well, I guess the picnic's over. As Jeri begins descending the stairs, she hears someone call her name. She looks over to her right and sees Rika running down the path with Henry close behind. "Where do you think you're going?" Rika asks in harsh tone.
"Home?" Jeri answers.
"Not until you tell me what happened when Takato came to visit you."
Jeri lets out a sigh. "There isn't much to tell. I told him I want him to leave me alone. It's not exactly a crime for me to not be interested in him."
"Well what's all this about you blaming him for Leomon's death and the D-Reaper?"
Henry finally catches up but does not attempt to interrupt either girl.
"He is to blame Rika…" Jeri says with a hint of resentment.
"Say's who?"
"Says me, and my therapist, and more importantly, basic logic."
"How can you say that? Beelzemon is the one that killed Leomon. Plain and simple!"
"And how did we end up in that battle? Because he ran into him and we had to rescue him. Leomon had to intervene because Takato bit off more then he could chew. He allowed his anger to distract him and that's why Leomon is gone!"
"You know that's not true Jeri!"
"Beelzemon almost got Kyubimon too. Then let's not forget how Takato put everyone in danger when he unleashed Megidramon."
You're wrong Jeri!"
"From the beginning, it was Takato. Takato couldn't stop Makuramon and ultimately trapped us in the digital world. Takato allowed Leomon to die and almost allowed his rage to kill the rest of us. Takato left me vulnerable to the D-Reaper and enabled it to reach our world. In the end, someone has to be responsible, and in the end, Takato is the one with the goggles…"
"You can't pin all that on him! We all failed to stop Makuramon. We all chose to go to the Digital World to save Calumon. None of us were able to defeat Beelzemon and Leomon sacrificed himself to save all of us!"
"We all followed HIS lead…" Jeri countered, without missing a beat. "And HE lead us to ruin. I don't blame any of you; I blame him."
She turns to leave, but Rika shouts after her, "Even if you believe that, he's more than made up for his shortcomings. Aren't you forgetting that he's the one that saved you from the D-Reaper?!"
Jeri glanced back at her. "And how many more died because of his mistake? It doesn't count as solving a problem when he's the one who created it…"
Rika puts her hands to her head. "I can't believe you! Since when are you so... so cold!?"
Jeri glances at Henry before removing her gaze from both of them. "I grew up. I've accepted that the world isn't fair. I lost Leomon… I'll never fight by your sides again, all because he failed me… I'm sorry… but I can't forgive him…"
She walks away without another word, leaving a stunned Henry and Rika. Calumon gives a sad look at them before hopping off after Jeri.
"The Jeri we know would never act that way…" Rika said, clenching her fists at her side. "She's acting as cold as I used to… maybe even worse!"
Henry doesn't respond. If what she said to Takato was even half as cold as that… And Takato has the tendency of exaggerating his own blameworthiness. Jeri… What have you done?"
