Chapter 8: Just Data: Part 3: Mothers love, Tamer no more

Rika awoke woke suddenly shooting up in the bed, only for her mother to push her back down. She surveyed her surroundings; it was mostly white, with posters of human anatomy on the walls, as well as a few shiny metallic tools. She was in the hospital? Last thing she remembered was fighting of the Flymon, then falling slowly and Naruto, Naruto!

"They found you both out cold beside the Ferris wheel, they said something strange happened, everyone was unconscious in their cars, they think you fell. What happened Rika?"

"That can wait," Rika said," where is Naruto?"

Rena winced slightly and looked at her sadly handing her a bag," Your clothes are in there get dressed and we'll go see him."

Rika nodded and went to the restroom getting out of her hospital gown and into her normal clothes, she winced slightly her arms were very sore from before. After she was dressed her mother led her through the hospital, she expected them to be leaving, Naruto was a Digimon why would he need to be in the hospital. She was astonished as her mother led her to the ICU where they entered a room to find Naruto still out cold being fussed over by many doctors. They ran about him with clipboards some taking notes, others drawing blood, while one tore franticly through a book.

"What happened," Rika asked," why hasn't he gotten up yet."

Kushina rose from her seat next to the door and rest a hand on her shoulder," They said it's some unknown toxin, its attacking his vital organs attempting to halt their function, they said he doesn't have much time left."

Rika gasp," That can't be right, he is a Digimon, he should be fine, there was plenty of data floating around after the Flymon were destroyed, it should have healed him."

Kushina sighed," There is something I didn't tell you. When I gave Naruto the upgrade I essentially altered him, he came here a Digimon with a human soul, and he is now a human with the evolutionary capabilities of a Digimon."

Rika wasn't listening, she had pushed past the doctors and rest a shaking hand on Naruto's face it was cold, this wasn't right, Naruto should be cold he was always warm and inviting, when he smiled, when he laughed, when he held her. The doctors were startled at first, but seeing the look on her face, they calmly began to work around her. Rika was hurting she was his tamer and she could do nothing, nothing to save his life dammit! Then she saw it resting on the chair near the bed, his vest, with the glinting handle of a kunai sticking out of the pocket. She could help him, he needed data, it would help him it did before, if he was a Digimon it would work, but only if he was still a Digimon.

"No," Rika thought resolutely, "he is a Digimon, my Digimon, a regular person can't survive this, and he has to survive this…"

Just as her mother was coming up to comfort her she dashed towards Naruto's vest throwing it on as she ran out the door. She would do what she needed to save him, she had to save him.

~Xutzy~

That doctors where working frantically all hope seemed lost, his body was whatever toxin had affected him seem to be winning the battle. They didn't want to tell the boy's mother as well as his girlfriend who had just left that he wouldn't make it, but it seemed there was no other choice. The boy's mother rose, but as the doctor began to break the news she pushed him aside.

"Please," she whispered," leave us I want to spend some time alone with my son."

The doctors nodded sadly and left, some of the nurses gave her hurried apologies as they left. Once they were gone it was only Kushina and Rena.

"I am going to save him," Kushina said," he has a mission to finish, I don't know what would happen if he died now, but I am not taking any chances."

Rena was going to ask what she meant when Kushina began glow, her body took on a pinkish aura as she sat down and pulled her son up hugging him tightly to her chest. She lightly kissed his head as the pink aura began to slowly flow from her lips across his forehead and down his chest. It was so mesmerizing that Rena didn't notice that Kushina had began to disappear from the feet up, until she was only a smiling face, then that to drifted away.

"Stay strong, my little maelstrom." Her voice echoed softly through the hospital room.

~Xutzy~

Rika ran, she ran and ran, her D-Ark clutched in one hand as her other fingered the kunai in Naruto's vest pocket. She needed to find a bio-emergence, she didn't know what she was going to do when she found it, but Naruto needed the data. She needed the data, she would get it. Her D-Ark began to flash, a holographic compass type thing popped up, this was it!

The signal lead inside a building of some sort, heading inside the signal faded for some reason. She smacked it a couple of times, but it had no effect, that's when she felt it. Cold, she could see her breath her teeth chattered, she felt a presence behind her, turning she caught sight of a tall spectral figure heading up a flight of stairs. She followed it, but it seemed to just disappear. She leaned against the wall to catch her breath; it was then that the cold feeling returned. She felt two large cold hands grab hold of her covering her mouth as she screamed and was pulled whisked away.

When she next opened her eye's she was in a field of blue, she held herself due to the cold Naruto's vest offering little to shield her from the biting cold. There was a flapping sound and she felt herself cocooned in something cold embrace, large white leathery wings held her to what felt like a wall of ice.

"Welcome to my humble abode." Spoke a voice as cold as the ice that surrounded her.

Rika began to regain her bearings, this thing had wings, this thing could speak, it just had to be…

"Are you a Digimon?"She asked.

"Yes," the voice replied," do you like this digital field I have created? It suits you, the old you, the way you treated people, how you thought, you were cold as ice you had no time for weak relationships. Then that weakling came along, and filled your head with nonsense, but you won't see him again I made sure of that."

"What do you mean?" Rika yelled angrily.

"Ah you have no idea how exquisite you are when you're angry," the voice said wistfully," I have waited a long time for someone like you, the Flymon where easy enough to manipulate, with the competition gone I get to claim my prize."

"I am not some prize," Rika shouted," and I won't let Naruto die! I'll bring him your data and bring him back!"

With that she pulled the Kunai from Naruto's left pocket, and stabbed it deeply into the creature's left wing before bringing it down leaving a large tear in the wing. The beast cried out in pain jumping back to create some distance, and then he chuckled darkly as Rika stood with the kunai clutched tightly with both hands, holding it out in front of her. Rika caught her first look at it and knew it instantly, IceDevimon, its body was mostly snow white, with a purple bat-like marking on its chest, with arms so long they nearly dragged on the floor. It had a strange shaped plate on its forehead, its eyes where an angry violet, and it was covered in belts and leather wraps.

"Yes," he said," you are perfect, not weak like the others, you will be mine, but first let me show you something."

Suddenly where there was once just an endless expanse of deep blue, there was now what looked like a large icy cave. Rika noted that there was a large sliding door at the far end, set into a garage structure; she must be on a roof somewhere. Then her eyes found the first icicle at first she disregarded it as just that, an icicle. Then she saw it, an animalistic figure frozen solid within, its furry maw contorted into a look of pure horror. Her eyes darted about franticly finding more and more figures in hundreds of icicles, all frozen with looks of pain or horror, it was sickening.

"You're…you're a monster!" Rika yelled.

"Better a strong monster than a weak nobody," IceDevimon replied," for years I have hunted hundreds of Digimon and absorbed their data. They were friends to some, maybe even partners, but as you once believed they are only stepping stones."

"I never said that!"

"Maybe not," the creature sneered," but you believed it, until he came along, but with him out of the way you can claim a true Digimon become a real tamer!"

With that the creature grabbed at Rika's arm, its long clawed hand easily covering her forearm completely. Taking the kunai in her other hand she readied a strike at the things arms, but that was halted when that arm to was seized. Rika gasped the bitter cold of its skin was burning her skin.

"Let her go!" yelled a voice from the doors across the way.

For a moment Rika had believed it was Naruto that he was back and would save her. That thought died at the sight of the other two tamers and their Digimon.

"My new tamer and I were just getting acquainted." The Digimon responded pulling Rika between he and the boys, wrapping both hands entirely around her body.

"She's not your tamer," Takato retorted," She has Naruto!"

"I think it's time for an upgrade don't you think?" he growled into Rika's ear.

"Let go of me you frozen freak!" she yelled.

The two boys seemed to talk for a bit before giving an order as their Digimon charged. IceDevimon smirked at this; "Goodie goodie, time to fight."

It wasn't a fight, a blue aura shone from IceDevimon's eyes falling upon the two Digimon like a pale blue flashlight, they began to slow as they were incased in large blocks of ice.

"Guilmon no!"

"Terriermon!"

IceDevimon laughed manically reveling in the sport, it wasn't much of a fight but surly it was great show of power. Rika would most certainly accept him as her Digimon after such a display, if she didn't well, there's more than one way to skin a Gatomon.

After being unable to break the ice, Henry tried using the modify card "Heat" but it seemed the ice was too cold for even that to work. Henry scowled as IceDevimon continued to laugh.

"I don't get it where is Naruto?" he called.

"Naruto…"Rika whispered tears stinging at her eyes," he's…"

"Gone," IceDevimon cackled," I watched as he was pierced by the stingers of no less than six Flymon! No Digimon could survive that, he must be no more than a bit of data floating within an Okuwamon somewhere if the Flymon was lucky enough to digivolve after absorbing his data!"

"Any Digimon…" Rika thought," that can't be right, Naruto is in the hospital right now…the hospital. Surly they would have noticed if he was anything but…human. Dear Kami."

"The poison," she said through gritted teeth," it's killing him, he's dying. He's dying…"

Rika's world began to fall around her, he was human, and she knew that now. There was nothing she could do, he lay dying on a hospital bed, her at the mercy of this monster. She would never get him the data, hell she had no idea if it would even work now, she couldn't win, and a human can't fight a Digimon. She gasped inwardly, that night she sent him off into the unknown he took the stingers to the back to defend her.

"He shouldn't have been there, it's my fault, and he was always human even before the upgrade." She thought," I let him fight, I let him go, knowing how dangerous it could be, because I believed that even if something went wrong, he'd be ok, he wasn't human. I am cold hearted, I used him I don't deserve to be a tamer…I don't deserve Naruto."

"I'm so sorry," she choked out tears falling to the icy ground," I'm sorry Naruto!"

A large explosion occurred from the frozen ceiling, blasting shards of ice everywhere Rika looked up and gasped her tears halting their mournful path down her pale cheeks, hope shining in her eyes. A silhouette could be seen in the moonlight shining from the newly formed whole, a billowing cloak and a spiky mop of hair.

"Listen here Makino Rika," came a cocky voice that lifted Rika's spirit.

"I will not tolerate moodiness from my tamer." Rika finished wiping the tears from her eyes as Naruto dropped from the whole landing next to her offering her a hand up.

"You're forgiven so just forget about it." He said with a bright smile.

"Naruto," Rika called jumping up to hug him her head falling just beneath his chin," your alive, I thought you were a goner!"

"Kaasan, gave me what was left of her data, whatever was in me was purged and her card showed up, I left it with your mom for safekeeping." He said.

Horrid laughter began to fill the room, Rika and Naruto looked to the source to find IceDevimon laughing madly, ending with a harsh glare towards Naruto.

"It seems you are more resilient than I thought," he said angrily," no matter, now I can destroy you and show Rika once and for all who is the superior Digimon. She will be my tamer; you won't stand in my way weakling."

Naruto walked forward, but was halted by Rika grabbing his arm; "No, don't he's too strong."

Naruto gently removed her hand," Nonsense," he said," it's my job to protect you, I have faced stronger than him, I have battled men who were known as gods. A frigged excuse for a champion level will be a piece of cake."

"But-"Rika started only to be interrupted by Naruto.

"I'm your partner, I was brought here to fight by your side and that is what I plan to do Rika."

Rika scowled, he was throwing himself into danger again, believing it was for her sake, believing it was his mission. He had endured a lifetime of war, and his reward was to fight again, who was she to force that on him?

Before she could say anything else IceDevimon charged at them his arm reared back to strike, Naruto rushed forward to meet him wielding two Kunai, one in each hand. The fallen angle brought his arm forward with a cry of "Frozen Claw", his clawed hand met Naruto's Kunai as the shinobi held them in a guard position crossing in an "X" formation. The force rattled his bones, the intense cold froze the kunai together, Naruto was going to toss them aside, but IceDevimons speed far exceeded his expectations. The beast brought his other clawed hand forward sending another "Frozen Claw" attack straight into his stomach. He was blasted upward gasping in pain, he felt as if his very blood was frozen a terrible icy burning spread across his stomach. He hit the ceiling with painfully falling directly into a "Frozen Claw" to the head, sending him sprawling into the wall where he landing painfully his head spinning.

IceDevimon cackled as Naruto tried in vain to stand up, his body ached everywhere, his current form could not match the speed and power of this advanced champion form. Rika watched her eyes swimming with guild as Naruto forced himself into standing position and rushed the fallen angle, only to be backhanded into the side of an icicle.

"Why do you look at him like that?" IceDevimon called back to her," A Digimon is only useful if it can fight; tell me why do you care for this pathetic creature?"

Rika watched as Naruto leaned painfully against the shattered remains of the icicle he had just been thrown into. He had blood staining his face and arms; it seemed to be frozen as soon as it left his body, forming gleaming red streaks down his face.

"I care…"Rika started softly then became resolute," I care because he isn't a Digimon!"

This caused Takato and Henry to gasp, while IceDevimon looked thoughtfully toward Rika.

"Then what, prêt ell, is he my dear future tamer." The fallen angle asked.

Rika scowled," I will never be your Tamer; I will never be a tamer! He is Uzumaki Naruto, not a Digimon, he is my friend!"

DIGIVOLUTION!

A warm wind tore through the area as the ice began to melt away and the gruesome frozen Digimon disappeared. When the wind died down Naruto stood before IceDevimon in his Champion form, a bright smile on his face as small vortex of wind blew at his feet melting away the ice with each step he took forward. Rika looked on in shock, he was human how could he still digivolve? Then she remembered Kushina's words the ones she tried to block out in grief. She watched as IceDevimon launched a "Frozen Claw" at Naruto, which he caught at the wrist. IceDevimon pulled with all his might trying to break free only to be pulled forward and kicked in the chest. He flew across the roof crashing into the frozen wall, the only thing that remained of his icy digital field. He began to pry himself out only to have Naruto appear before him again grabbing both his long arms and spinning him about tossing him towards the ceiling. He hit hard and began to fall, his torn wing preventing flight; he expected to hit hard ground. Poor diluted IceDevimon, he felt his data being torn apart then nothing, as Naruto drove a spiraling ball of energy between his wings with a yell of; "Rasengan!"

Naruto watched as the data floated away to nothing, sending a silent prayer that this angle doesn't fall a second time. He looked back to where he knew Rika was expecting congratulations instead getting a boot to the face. He clutched his nose in pain as he rolled about comically on the floor.

"Rika-chan," Naruto whined," what was that for?"

"For being stupid and charging in like that," she said," I nearly had to watch you die a second time…"

Naruto fell silent the only sound being Henry and Takato trying various cards to free their partners. He looked to Rika as she glared at him. What was he supposed to do, let the thing take her?

"Naruto," Rika said," why do you fight, isn't this supposed to be your second chance? You shouldn't have to fight anymore you should be able to live a life like you want to, not shackled to my fights."

"They are our fights Rika," Naruto replied," You're my tam-"

"I am not!" she cried," you are not a Digimon you're my friend, how can I let you fight monsters like that knowing I could very well be sending you to your death?"

"By understanding that not letting me fight, would be tantamount to damning me to hell!"

Rika's pale skin grew paler, as Takato and Henry held back gasps of surprise.

"What do you mean?" Rika asked shakily.

"The demon," Naruto said," its sins tainted my soul, if I don't help you in the upcoming conflict, I well be sent to hell, it's past transgressions weighing me down and dragging me into the fire and torment."

"So you only fight because-"

"No!" Naruto said," I fight because I care for you, you are my most precious person, and if you care for me you will let me fight, and be by my side through the thick of it."

Rika blushed heavily, but was able to bring it under control. She meant that much to him? His very salvation rest on her, she didn't want him to be hurt, but she could never damn him to eternal torment where that damn fox probably awaited him. As the digital field fell around them returning the rooftop to its normal visage, and the two rookies Digimon were released. Rika smiled a true smile.

"Just promise me you won't die," She said," and this time mean it ninja boy!"

"I promise," Naruto said," I can't leave you behind, not before I see more of this world, experience more, find something I never could in my previous life. Would you help me find it Rika? I need a partner, on this new journey through my second life. What do you say, Tamer?"

Rika walked towards the door, Naruto following;"I don't know if I will be much help, but like you said before…"

Rika paused before the door turning to look at him;"Your precious to me, and I will help you in any way I can, I too have only just begun living, this is my second chance as well."

She went forward in a slight jog, raising her hand to slap Naruto's as she passed, she stopped leaning against his back.

"I know one thing for certain," she whispered," I am a Tamer no more."

With that she took off taking a running jump onto an air conditioning unit, leaping high over the fence, she spread her arms out wide and gave a yell.

"Rika!" Henry called

"What the hell!" yelled Takato.

Naruto just smirked disappearing in a swirl of leaves reappearing before Rika she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as he gripped her thighs and kicked off the wall. They went sailing across the sky; the two Tamers looked on smiling.

"Those two…" Henry chuckled.

"She's crazy," Takato sighed," jumping like that."

They left with their slightly shivering Digimon headed home for the night.

~Xutzy~

The wind whipped at her face as she they flew from rooftop to rooftop on the way home. Rika would never get tired of this, it was such a thrill.

"Rika," Naruto called," did you mean what you said earlier?"

"About what?" she replied.

"About me being precious to you?" he said happy she couldn't see the blush that painted his features.

Rika blushed," Yeah, you're my best friend Naruto."

"Right my best friend, who nearly died for me, considers me the most precious thing in his life, and happens to be gorgeous." Rika thought.

Rika sighed, feelings were complicated, she was afraid to pursue something with him only for him to go and die, or for it not to work out and her lose her first true friend…

"Best friend," Naruto sighed, "It's a start."

"Let's get home," Naruto said," I wouldn't want for the cloak to run down, I am wearing a hospital gown."

Rika blushed," Why would you go and do that!? You could have gotten dressed you idiot!"

"I was in a hurry, and the data Kaasan gave me sent me directly to Rookie form!"

"Speaking of which," Rika said seriously," will the card work again?"

Naruto grew silent, then whispered," I hope so Rika, if it doesn't…I just got her I knew she would be leaving eventually, but I need her."

Rika nodded into his back, enjoying the warmth of its strong broad surface, until she caught herself and shook the thoughts away.

"It'll work," Rika said, "she still has to teach me about being an Uzumaki woman."

Naruto nearly lost his footing as he blushed furiously. Rika laughed at the reaction, but still part of her wanted to learn more from Kushina, Naruto seemed to love her ramen.

"You know," Rika added hurriedly," if you ever find some woman who can handle this crazy situation were in!"

"Yeah." Naruto agreed smiling brightly.

"Some woman…"

~End~

I pushed IceDevimon's appearance forward, I hope it's no big deal, I don't think that it really matters to follow the timeline so closely until the Deva's show up…let me know if it bothered you…

I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations, I want their relationship to grow and it has, but it seems as if there is always something keeping them apart. In this case it's that Rika has finally found someone to care for and doesn't want to take any chances. Eventually her feeling will boil over or Naruto will just go for it, haven't decided yet.

Pleas review and such, I love to hear from you all!