Author's Note: Hola! Wow man. There really are people out there that read this, CRY CRY! I LOVE YOU PEOPLE!!!!!! Cough. Anyways, ehehehehe. I sorta got suspended for a few days, so I decided to add more to the story (opposed to doing homework). Why do homework now when you can put it off for a few days????

ShadowedLight, hahaha thanks for the laughs. But damn, they really do get the digimon back??? Hmmm, I'll rememeber that but I seriously doubt I'm gonna add them in for anything more than a cameo. Hahaha, yes, I think you did mention that you hated Felix.

KristiexxNguyen, too much Ruki/Felix eh? Hahahahahahahaha. No worries, it will die down… eventually. Heh, but please don't kill him yet. I only need him for a few more chapters, then you can have him. Man, poor Felix will have a gruesome death won't he?

Cennamo, WHEE! Wow thanks for passing this fic around! Hahahaha, just tell your buddies not to flame me, okie dokie? Oh yeah! And of course you can be my newestest favorite reviewer. So here we go, this chapter is for you!

Disclaimer – Wow, this is the 11th disclaimer. Well, I'm damned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next Monday at school was hell. Hell for Ruki, that is. Everyone else was just along for the ride. As Ruki repeatedly got swarmed, the Tamers repeatedly got shoved. It became even worse during gym. In the gym 6th period, 3 classes take place. Not to mention the classes were doing a dance unit, which meant that the students had, quite of a hell of, a lot of freedom. Poor Ruki never stood a chance.

"MS. MAKINO! This is the 7th time in the last 10 minutes I have caught you talking."

"Sorry teach. Not my fault." Ruki said never missing a beat.

"Well then, is there something you'd like to share with the class?" Ruki smirked.

"Yes, there is. Can I use the microphone (play along, folks.)?" the teacher blinked.

"I don't see why not."

The teacher smiled (This teacher will be called Lauren.). Lauren knew very well why everyone was bugging Ruki. But, it was interfearing with class. If it were between periods Lauren would most likely be sitting there cracking up at Ruki's expense. Oh well, she figured, at least Ruki will end it now.

"Hey class! Listen up!" Ruki yelled. Most of the students looked at her.

"Gogglehead, Juri. Stop making out with each other and please listen."

The couple in question quickly broke apart blushing profusedly. It was too late, though. By the time they had broken apart people were giving catcalls and whistling. A few of the soccer players were yelling "Go Takato!" Ruki cracked up at the chaos she created.

"Ok folks, as I was saying. You all know I'm the Digimon Queen, reigning champ, blah blah blah. I've been getting mobbed left and right from all you people asking me about the tournament, so here I am to answer questions. First off, how to enter. You can either call up Japan Online and enter that way. Or you could just go to the building and sign up there. Second, I know the posters say that the tournament is on Wednesday, but the preliminaries will begin on Monday, so be signed up before then. Third, if any of you scored in the top 3 last year than you don't need to bother with the preliminaries."

Kenta glowered with pride. Even though Ruki made him and Kazu look like rookies, against other people the two of them were exceptionally good. Ruki had beaten Kazu in the first round (this is all from the last tournament) so he had been cut early on. Kenta, luckily, didn't face her until the semi-finals, where he had secured himself into 3rd place.

"Ok, any more questions?" Ruki asked. Some dude spoke out.

"Is there any other way to sign up?" Ruki smirked.

"Yes, there is. I can personally sign someone up. But, I won't be signing up anyone unless I feel like it so don't expect me to do it for you." His face fell.

"I heard that there's a prize!" Lauren yelled.

"Yes, there will be a prize for the top 68. That's all I can say, though." Her face fell.

"Who was that bomb ass guy that came to get you last week? That one guy, he had a black and red outfit, and a bandanna around his neck!" Ruki blushed.

"That's none of your business!"

The rest of the period consisted of people, students and teachers alike, asking Ruki questions about the tournament. To Ruki it was boring, she already knew this stuff. But, she figured this was the only way to get them off her back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hello Betty." Ruki said chirpilly.

"Ruki." She said back.

"Soooo, who have I signed up again?" the grumbling Betty brought out the list.

"Takato. Jenrya. Juri." Betty read the list thusfar.

"Okay, can you add Kazu, Shuichon, and Kenta. Oh, and take Juri off the list."

"Ms. Makino, I need last names." Betty tapped her foot.

"Ok then. Matsuda, Lee, Shiota, Lee." Ruki said.

"How about Kenta's?" Betty asked impetiently.

"He came in 3rd last year, look him up yourself." Ruki smirked and left.

Betty grumbled as Ruki left. She hated doing that girl's bidding. But, like most people, she knew who that girl was. The Digimon Queen… figures that she'd have ties with Yamaki as well. Geez, first it was that Alice girl and that Ryu guy, then it was Ms. DigiQueen and that Felix person.

Betty gulped as she looked towards the door; Ruki was getting mobbed by students. She knew what that meant… after Ruki got away they'd all be coming inside to sign up. Hahaha, she did not plan to sitck around for that show.

"Mariko, I'm taking my break." Mariko nodded in response. Betty left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Juri sighed in contentment. She and Takato had gone to a movie that night and she sure as hell felt happy. Takato is such a good boyfriend, Juri thought, I'm lucky to have nabbed him.

School had just let out. So basically everyone was leaving the accursed place as fast as their legs/cars could take them. But, inside the school, there were still a few students.

"DAMN! It won't open!" Juri yelled.

BBBBBAAAAANNNNNNNGGGGG!

"Need help?" asked a familiar voice. She sighed.

"Takato. Thank you all that is holy."

"Let me guess, your locker?" he asked.

"You know it. So, where is everybody?" Juri noticed that everyone was gone.

"Well, Kazu scored detention. Jen went to go pick up Shuichon. You saw Ruki leave."

"Where's Kenta?" she asked, curious as to why Takato left him out.

"You'll never believe this. Kenta has a girlfriend!" Juri's eyes widened.

"He never even told us! Who is it?" she asked anxiously.

"Jazelle, captain of the cheerleading squad."

Juri was now in a state of shock. Jazelle was one of those girls that got the title of untouchable. Hell, she was a senior! Juri recalled overhearing Jazelle once in the bathroom, she was talking about some real sweet boy she was going out with. When Juri crossed that criteria with Kenta, there was no match. Just goes to show that Kenta is more than a Kazu wannabe.

"Wow. Go Kenta."

"I know, seriously. So Juri, where are you headin?" she thought for a moment.

"I dunno. I'm not due home 'til 6:00." Takato started blushing.

"Well, you could come with me. I have to go bake some bread." Juri smiled.

"I'd love to."

The two of them went to Matsuda family bakery. After saying hello to the family the two of them got to work on baking the bread.

"Okay, this batch has already risen. So we just need to bake it."

The two of them got to work on shaping the dough. Takato made some Guilmon Bread while Juri made a few loaves shaped like Calumon and Leomon.

"Okay, I'll go put this in the oven. Juri, can you take the register for a sec?"

"Sure." Juri went to the register.

Since Juri was more of a common visitor, than she realized, she was able to handle the register with ease. A few of the customers noted that she and Takato looked cute together. The blushing Juri would tell them that they weren't a couple.

"Hello girl. Can I get that loaf right there?" the old lady pointed to a loaf.

"Sure, hang on a moment." Juri retrieved the loaf.

"You know. You and the baker's son look really cute together." Juri blushed.

"Sorry, maam. But we're not together." Takato walked up.

"Ok, the batch'll be ready in about 10 mintes." Juri nodded, blushing.

"Remember what I said, girl. Thank you for the bread." The old lady left.

"What'd she say?"

"Oh nothing." Juri said, still blushing.

Juri then went to the back for a moment. She smiled and was about to go back to the register when her cell started ringing. She answered the phone, it was her dad. He said that she had to get home because the family was going somewhere that night. She hung up and Takato came and took out the bread.

"Hey, Juri. Who was that?" he asked.

"My dad, he says I have to come home because the family's going out." Takato nodded.

"Ok. Here, take this with you then." He handed her a bag, she could smell the bread.

"Thanks. See ya tomorrow Takato!" Juri hugged him and left.

As she was walking away from the bakery she was starting to get hungry. Then she remembered the bread Takato gave her, she opened the bag and was surprised to find the bread contorted into words. She read it aloud.

"Will… You… Be… My… Girl- GIRLFRIEND!" Juri squeeled.

She ran back to the bakery as quick as she could. She snuck around back and found Takato washing his hands. She smiled as she looked at him.

"Boo." She said.

"Juri! What are you doing here?" he asked.

She didn't bother replying. She just waltzed on up to him and kissed him on the spot. The old lady from before came back, claiming she left her glasses there. When she saw the two she whistled. The two broke apart, Takato still in a daze.

"Takato, my answer is yes." Juri said. She left again.

Juri smiled as she remembered the memory. It was something she didn't plan to be forgetting anytime soon. She then remembered what she was planning to do, she called up Ruki.

"Who is it and what do you want." Ruki answered the phone, apparantly.

"Juri and to talk to you." Juri replied.

"Oh, hey Juri. Shouldn't you be out with gogglehead?" she asked.

"I just came in the door. But, anyways, I wanted to ask you something."

"What?" Ruki was curious.

"Did you-- No hang on! Did you know that Kenta's going out with Jazelle?"

"SAY WHAT!"

Ruki thought for a moment. Jazelle, she's the captain of the cheerleading squad. How the hell did Kenta manage to get her? Oh well. Ruki shivered as she remembered Jazelle…

It was the first week of school and Ruki already hated it. It was enough that she was one of the most popular people in the school. But, did Juri really have to bring her to this?

"C'mon Ruki! Everyone else was busy." Juri pleaded.

"No way, this is evil!" Ruki responded.

Juri wanted to try out for the cheerleading squad. Ruki was there to be moral support, but Ruki had an incling suspicion that it wouldn't be seen that way.

"Like wow! Ruki, are you trying out for the squad?!?" Jazelle yelled.

Ruki looked at Jazelle. From day 1 of this high school experience Jazelle was determined to make Ruki her best friend.

"No. My buddy Juri is, though." She pointed to Juri.

"Hi." Juri said shyly.

"Oh... hello. So, Ruki! You know if you wanted to I can always reserve a uniform for you, you're totally like squad material!" Ruki rolled her eyes.

"No, it's ok. Thank you Jazelle." Jazelle bounced off.

"Juri, what was with the shy bit?" Juri blushed.

"Well, for starters, she's probably the only girl that's more popular than you. That's a maybe though. Second, she's captain of the cheerleading squad. Third, she's a senior. With those three things combined you'd see why she intimidates me. Not everyone can be a celebrity, you know." Juri smirked.

"Shut up." Ruki grumbled.

Jazelle and Kenta. Who would've thought? Oh well, Ruki thought, just as long as she doesn't cheat on him. As annoying as Kenta was, he was still her friend.

"Wow. I never would've thought." Ruki said despondently.

"Me neither." Juri replied.

"Hey, Juri. What were you going to say before you mentioned Kenta and Jazelle?"

"Oh, um. Ruki, for that poster thing. Did you choose the outfit?" Juri asked.

Ruki looked at the phone. What did that have to do with anyhting, Ruki wondered. Oh well, she asked a question. It would be the polite thing to do, to answer her, that is.

"Yeah, I guess. Trevor had chosen a few outfits for me, and I got the final word."

"I see." Juri nodded thoughtfully.

"What are you getting at?" Ruki deadpanned.

"It's just that the outfit reminds me of someone else's." Juri hinted.

"I don't think so, it was unique. Why? Who do you think it looked like?" Ruki sounded pretty serious.

"How about Ryo Akiyama?" Ruki's eyes widened.

"You're smoking."

"What's wrong with that? Ryo was nice." Juri said.

"Yeah yeah. It's just that Jenrya has been bugging me about him. I'm sick of hearing about Ryo, ya know?"

"I understand. So Ruki, do you think he'll ever come back?"

"No, Juri. No I don't." Ruki actually sounded sad as she said that.

"I dunno, Ruki. He has a knack to appear when no one's expecting it."

"Yeah. But I'm just sick of worrying about it. Hey, Juri, I gotta go. See ya tomorrow."

Ruki didn't even wait for a response. She hung up. Juri looked at the phone for a moment. Oh Ruki, why can't you just admit it. You want him to return. We all do, Juri thought.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sir, with all due respect, can I please be excused from school for the rest of the week?"

Ruki was sitting in the principal's office. She had been sent there because the teacher claimed that she was "talking to much." Ruki didn't even get a chance to explain her side of the story.

"Ms. Makino, now why would I let you do that?" the principal asked.

"Simple. It's Tuesday today, so I'd only miss 3 days of school. We both know I don't have to worry about my GPA, I'd just make up the missing work."

"How about this Ms. Makino, no." Ruki glared at him.

Why was this principal being such a jackass? Ruki did the calculations in her head… yup, if she missed 3 days of school she wouldn't be in danger of failing.

"I'll just skip them then."

Ruki was not in a good mood. She had been photographed from the moment she walked out of her front door. She had been harrassed from the moment she walked into the school. To top things off, her mother's boyfriend, Fabio, was attempting to get Rumiko to get Ruki modeling.

Ruki couldn't take it anymore. With all the frustrations in her life, ranging from Fabio to the tournament, Ruki was currently unstable. She was also pissed off at the principal… to make a long story short… Ruki left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"YOUNG LADY! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!"

Ruki winced. She had just gotten in the door when her mom spotted her and verbally attacked. If Ruki remembered right, her grandmother should be getting home soon enough… thank goodness.

"YOU DO NOT WALK OUT AT SCHOOL! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH OF A FOOL THAT MAKES ME LOOK? PEOPLE PROBABLY SEE YOU AND SAY 'OH LOOK AT HER, HER MOTHER MUST NOT HAVE BROUGHTEN HER UP RIGHT.' IT MAKES ME LOOK LIKE A BAD PARENT!"

"Mom, you don't get it. It's only three days." Ruki replied.

"THREE DAYS! Oh no! No daughter of mine is skipping school for three days!"

"Well, I am." Rumiko got even more mad.

"WELL, WHY DON'T YOU JUST-" Rumiko started.

"That. Is. Enough."

Rumiko and Ruki looked to the source, sure enough, Seiko had returned.

"Ruki, to your room. Rumiko, get dinner started." She commanded.

Ruki, knowing that her grandmother had a temper to be reckoned with, went to her room without protest. She knew that she'd soon be able to get it all off her chest anyway. She sat on her bed and waited for her grandmother to arrive.

"Ruki, dear. May I come in?" Ruki smiled.

"Come on in, Grandma." She came in.

"Ruki, what's really troubling you?" Ruki sighed.

"Well, the Digimon Card Tournament's next Wednesday. I'll admit it, I'm nervous. But since I happen to be the Digimon Queen there's all these media people focusing in on me, I can't get a moment to myself. Between here and school I'm always on someone's radar. I asked the principal if I could be excused for the next three days, due to the attention, but that idea got shot to hell. I got pissed and left, then Mom goes off on me the moment I walk in the door!"

"Well, Ruki. I believe that, with your grades, you would be perfectly capable of missing a few days of school. My advice to you is to attempt to clear your mind. Jenrya meditates, maybe he could help?"

"Thanks Grandma." Ruki said out of gratitude.

"Anytime. Remember, I'll always be here for you." The two of them then hugged.

A few hours later (after class) Ruki was feeling better. She was still mad at her mother, but would apologize for her grandma's sake. She got out of her room… but as she was walking to the living room she heard voices. Particularly, her grandmother and mother's.

"Mom, I don't know what to do with her. Should I put her up for adoption?"

"No, Rumiko. You should let her grow up on her own."

"But she's so out of it! She doesn't even want to model!"

"Rumiko, you should try accepting her."

"Never Mother. That girl needs to get her act together, she's a disgrace to my name."

"Whatever Rumiko, I give up."

Ruki ran back to her room with tears in her eyes. So her mother thought she was a disgrace. No wonder she always tries to get me into girly clothes, Ruki thought. I just need some time to think. So she sealed her door and went out the window, hoping no one would bother to check her room.

Once she was outside and a considerable distance away from her house Ruki sighed. Then she burst into tears. I knew it, she thought, Grandma really is the only one who loves me. The thought made Ruki cry even more. Before she even knew it she was back at the park. As Ruki looked around she noticed that she was at the spot. She sighed again.

11 year old Ruki looked around her. She was walking around the park out of boredom. Everyone was busy that day so she just started wandering around the city. Eventually, her escapades had led her here.

"Heya Pumpkin!" Ruki looked behind her.

"Fuck off Akiyama." He just smiled.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Nowhere with you. Now leave!" she yelled.

Ryo just smiled again and looked at her. Ruki grew agitated with him and growled. He still kept smiling. She grumbled a "hurry up" and then they continued walking.

"So Ruki, do you know the date?" Ryo asked.

"February 14." She answered sharply.

"Do you know what that means?" he asked.

"Do I look like I care?" Ryo ignored her and went on.

"In the USA, February 14 is when they celebrate their version of White Day."

"So what?" Ruki snapped.

Ruki knew all about White Day. She hated it. Her mother would bring over 10 guys and wind up sleeping with most of them, how trasy can one get, Ruki wondered.

"Well. The girl's supposed to give the guy a gift. So… where's my gift?" Ruki looked horrified.

"Why the hell would I get you a gift, Akiyama! I hate you, remember?" He smiled again.

"Ok then. I'll go by western traditions instead. Here's my gift to you, Ruki."

He bent over and kissed her full on the lips. Poor Ruki was too shocked to kick him in his manhood. After all, it was her first kiss. By the time Ruki had gotten a grip with reality Ryo was smiling at her again.

"Happy Valentines Day, Ruki." He walked off.

Ruki looked around her. Yup, this definately was the same place. She had told nobody about the kiss, not even (bum bum bum) Jenrya. Ruki smiled fondly at the memory, it was one of the last times she would ever see him. About 2-3 days after the kiss he disappeared.

"Ruki?" she was brought back to the present.

"Takato? What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I could ask the same thing to you." He parried.

"Touché. Well, I'm just getting some air." She said. He sighed.

"Ruki, look. I know that you think I'm kind of loud and obnixious. But I'm always here for my friends, you included. Just remember that." He said seriously. She blinked at him.

"Thanks Takato. Well, here we go. It's nothing serious, it's just that the papparazzi's a bitch. School's a bitch. My mother is a bitch as well. I overheard her and Grandma talking, she wants to put me up for adoption. She also didn't fail to mention how much of a disgrace I am." Thinking of it made Ruki get teary again.

"Whoa whoa! Don't start crying now!"

Takato didn't know what to do. He had never seen Ruki as emotional as she was now. It made him smile as he figured out why this was wrong, yet right at the same time. Ruki was usually calm and collected. Seeing her like this made Takato notice that she was actually a normal person.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be burdening you like this." Ruki started.

"No, no. Just let it out, ok?" He hugged her while she cried. Eventually Ruki got a grip on herself.

"Thanks Takato. I think I needed that." She smiled.

"Sure, happy to be of service maam." Ruki suddenly glared at him.

"Takato, if anyone EVER hears about this you will enter a world of pain." he gulped.

"Sure, Ruki. This'll stay a secret." She smiled again.

The two said goodbye and split ways. Ruki snuck back into her room with a smile on her face. It was nice to know that she had friends that genuinely cared about her. Her smile lasted up until she looked at her bed, looming at her. Her face changed to one of sadness as she layed down to sleep. She fell asleep, and, as she predicted, she dreamt of the past. Of a time when friendship was all that mattered…