Chapter 9
Rika barely managed to keep the annoyed growl in her throat from being audible. In the past, her classmates had taken perverse pleasure in tormenting her about her various faults, whether they were real or imagined. Their usual subject of choice was her frequent absences from school, but today they had decided to touch on a subject that hurt more than she would like to admit.
She had never told anyone about the Tamers at her school, figuring that if they watched TV like everyone else, they should already know about the D-Reaper incident and, therefore, her role in it. Contrary to her expectations however, the Débutantes attending her school had had more 'important' things to worry about than World News.
Such as her supposed lack of friends over the last five years, this had been the main piece of ammunition for the person responsible for her torment. That ammunition had recently evolved into an interest in her lack of a love life; not that she would ever broadcast such a thing for fear of her mother's paparazzi. This latest salvo against her was started by posters for the upcoming Open Fall Ball the school was hosting. She never attended these things, finding them too boring to warrant her interest and going by one's self was not only embarrassing, but left her feeling even lonelier. After several minutes of taunting, the witch of a teen paused to catch her breath, allowing Rika to slam her hands down on her desk, stand up and lean into her face.
"Will you shut up Mina? You and your little pose know NOTHING about me, so don't pretend you can predict what I'll do! I'll be at that stupid Ball and I promise you, I WILL have a date."
Ignoring the spazzing student and stuttering teacher the Digimon Queen left the classroom just as the end of day bell rang to signal their release. She managed to reach her locker before the halls got too crowded but before she could do anything, someone slammed the door shut narrowly missing her fingers in it.
"You're a load of hot air Nonaka! No boy in his right mind would want to be seen with you. You may have looks comparable to your Mother's but your attitude stinks!"
Rika ignored her as she had before, putting her books in the locker before locking it shut and heading towards the exit, leaving the girl there. Mina huffed and stalked after her retreating classmate, following her all the way to the entry gates where Rika had paused momentarily to answer her suddenly ringing cell phone. Her mood lightened when she heard the sound of Takato's voice coming through the speakers.
'Rika, I'm coming to pick you up from school. I'll be there in a few minutes.'
"I'll be waiting."
"Who was that Nonaka? Your Mommy wondering where you are?"
"Not that it's any of your business but that was my ride, he should be here soon."
"He? Let me guess, he's an old pervert who gets his jollies off from young desperate school girls?"
"You'll see soon enough."
Rika leaned up against the school gate to wait for her ride and closed her eyes, once again ignoring the girl next to her. Mina huffed at being ignored again, crossing her arms over her chest. They had waited maybe ten minutes when the roar of a motorcycle could just be heard in the distance. The sound got louder and louder until the bike made an appearance around the corner of the street.
The students walking along either side of the road stopped to follow the machine and its rider with their eyes as it passed. Mina could see why as it approached her position by the gate and she felt herself start drooling. The rider, whose face was obscured by the helmet and goggles, had a ripped body and was showing it off with a tight, sleeveless shirt and form fitting tight jeans. He brought his American Harley to a stop in front of her and she straightened in hopes he would talk to her. She waited with baited breath as he reached for the chin strap of his helmet and unfastened it, allowing him to remove the contraption from his head. Shaggy brunette hair was revealed along a very pleasant face. His eyes were closed until he turned to where she and Nonaka were standing. When he opened them she felt her breath catch at the unusual colour of them. She was rudely broken from her speculation when Nonaka bumped her on purpose as she walked forward.
Takato noticed the girl looking at him and couldn't help but feel like a piece of cooked meat and he was her last meal. Although he smirked when Rika bumped into her as she came to greet him and couldn't help the smugness that encroached on it when the girl realized he was here for Rika.
"Hey Takato, what's up with the bike?"
"Eh, I felt like going for a bike ride so borrowed Nii-san's new Harley. He said he'd look into getting one for me soon. You ready to go? We're meeting Jen at the park."
"Yeah, um…Takato? I was wondering…"
"Oi! Punk Queen! Why don't you introduce me? This nice man might want to make a better acquaintance."
Rika sighed as she turned to her irritating classmate
"Shut up Mina, Takato wouldn't be interested in the Bitch Queen so buzz off."
Mina saw Takato look incredulously between her and Nonaka so shoved the red head to the side and presented her hand to him.
"Hi there, my name is Numa Mina and you?"
"Matsuki Takato."
"Really, well, what's a handsome guy like you doing hanging around with a witch like Nonaka? You could do so much better."
"I wouldn't know about that. Rika may be rough around the edges but at least I can trust her to watch my back. You were saying Rika?"
"It's nothing; it can wait until we get to the park. Later Mina, have fun seething."
Rika waved at the bully saucily while cocking her head to the side coyly, making sure she made a show of wrapping her arms around Takato's waist to keep her steady as she sat behind him on the bike's seat. The boy in question ignored her odd behaviour in favour of replacing his helmet and starting the machine up. He didn't like the way the other girl was starting to look like a ripe tomato or how she was clenching her fists hard enough to turn the skin of her knuckles white. After checking that Rika was seated properly he nodded shortly at the other girl before driving away.
Rika held on to Takato tightly, more from enjoying the feel of his body pressed against hers than the fear of falling off. His back was warm through the shirt he was wearing and his abs rippled under her hands as he shifted to manoeuvre the bike. The scenery beyond his shoulder blurred into a mess of colours so she turned her head to hide her face into his back. She felt it when Takato slowed down to turn into the park's parking lot and when he came to a stop in a space. She didn't move as he shut the machine off or as he removed his head gear.
"Rika, you wanted to ask something back at the school?"
She squeezed his waist and took a steadying breath to calm her nerves before replying.
"My school is hosting a Fall Ball in a month and I was thinking of actually attending this year. Will you go with me?"
Takato sighed inwardly, slightly distracted by the close contact between his back and Rika's chest. A blush blossomed on his face as she fidgeted insecurely at his silence. He took one of her hands in his, twining their fingers together and turning to face her.
"I'd be more than happy to go to the ball with you Rika."
Their faces drew together and were mere centimetres apart when both of their Digivices decided to sound an alarm, killing the mood. They tore apart, Takato's D-Ark already unhooked from his belt and the digi-compass pointing towards the shelter. He took off running with Rika hot on his heels, ignoring the shouts of people they scared as they went. They burst through the thin brush around the path to the shelter only to find the danger was gone and Jen cradling a familiar red head in his arms.
"Marie!"
Jen looked up startled at Takato and Rika's abrupt appearance and the Hazard Tamer's shout. His hands slipped from the rag pressed to her stomach. Scrambling, he moved his hands back to the wound, applying more pressure.
"Takato, call an ambulance this girl is bleeding too much!"
The Goggle-head ignored him, knowing Rika would do that for him as he threw himself on his knees next to the two and called Marie's name again. She stirred this time, recognizing him almost instantly.
"…kato… Momma, she's… gone…"
Takato couldn't help but wince as he heard that, but realised for the time being he could do nothing else but keep her awake and make her comfortable until help arrived.
"I'm sorry Marie, but you don't have to worry, you're safe here I promise. The guys are all here and we won't let anything happen to you again, ok? Stay with us Marie."
They could hear the sirens of the ambulance rushing up the larger paths close to the shelter, the clatter of the paramedics pulling the gurney out of the vehicle and their approach up the path towards them. It took everything in Takato to let go of Mariemaia's hand and let the medics do their thing. He felt Rika slip her hand his as he watched the men roll a stabilized red head carefully down the little hill separating their path in from the shelter.
"She'll be okay Takato, you'll see."
"I hope so; I really hope so."
Beta's note-Hey guys, I'm Yu here acting as Beta. I got this a couple of weeks ago, so sorry for the delay. Life has been a bit busy since I finished Uni. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter and if there's anything I missed, let me know.
Chapter 10 is currently getting worked on and hopefully that will be up not too long after this. Apologies in advance for any delays on this on my end.
AN, as you have all undoubtedly noticed I now have a beta. Egad…I just realized it's been almost a year since I last uploaded anything on the story. I'm sorry, please put down the rotten veggies. Anyway, I'm Yu is currently working on chapter 10 and hopefully you guys won't have to wait another year for 11. I'm pretty sure I'm Yu will remind me if I take too long with it.
