A/N: Another day, another chapter. *sigh* With finals in less than two weeks, I feel so overwhelmed.

Yamaki: You feel overwhelmed? Right now we have a sadistic digimon on the loose somewhere in Shinjuku, Hypnos is on the verge of being shut down and the Tamers' digimon are somewhere in the Digital World and of no help. And you're whining about tests?

Reika: Jumping on her won't make things any better Mitsuo.

She's right. Doing so might make me stop the story right here, seeing as how I have some strange problem with getting past the third chapter of my stories.

Yamaki: (sarcastically) Oh yes and I'm sure that your readers would be heartbroken.

You're really lucky that I like you, otherwise you'd be taking Ryou's place in the closet for that comment.

Reika: Why don't you stop arguing and let her make her thank yous?"

I just wanted to thank everyone who has reviewed so far, Digidestined of Courage, Flamegaruru, also known as Rei, The Future Queen, daisukefire, Peter Kim, Exoduss and Hirokono. You're reviews have really helped me and I'm very grateful for them.

Yamaki: Don't you have a story to write?

So very lucky…Anyway, I hope that everyone is in character and that you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: Digimon is the property of Toei Animation and of Bandai

Just A Little Mayhem

Lunch period was usually a time for most students to run wild. The school day was half over and the students could finally eat while being left to their own devices. Most of the Elementary school students milled around outside the school searching for a place to sit and devour their lunches, while few of them remained inside the building, separate from the rest of the students.

Jenrya sat on the warm grass beneath a tall tree, trying to balance his food in one hand and his drink in another. He  finally settled himself, placing his drink in front of him and sighed as he waited for the rest of Tamers to show up.

Well, two of the Tamers, he thought exasperatedly. He had finally sighted Hirokazu and Kenta standing close to the entrance to the school, speaking intently.

Jenrya's eyes narrowed as he to watch continued them. He didn't know them as well as he knew Takato, but he had a feeling that something strange was going on. Their hasty departure yesterday and their odd behavior, either whispering or sneaking glances at Takato and Juri, was making him very suspicious.

But maybe I'm being paranoid. Jenrya mused. It's not as though Hirokazu and Kenta are plotting against Takato or anything. He shook his head in dismissal. I wish Terriermon was here. I never realized just how much I depended upon his "Momentais" to make me feel better. Although his mouth did have the uncanny habit of getting him and the rest of us into trouble.

He remembered the time while in the Digital World, Lopmon had respectfully said his thanks to his lord, the Phoenix Sovereign Zhuqiaomon, while Terriermon had said something alone the lines of "It's been real Zhuqs."

Suddenly, a loud sound of indignation caused Jenrya to cringe and made several classmates turn and stare at the blue and red haired Tamers. Kenta blushed, while Hirokazu put on a charming smile and waved. Jenrya rolled his eyes. There's no way that those two could be planning anything. I'm starting to think that my missing Terriermon is making my imagination work overtime. Now would be a really good time to Momentai.

~*~

"Did you see him staring at us today? I think he's starting to suspect something." Kenta whispered to Hirokazu tersely.

"Who?" Hirokazu questioned distractedly

Kenta sweatdropped. "Who do you think? Takato! Maybe we shouldn't go through with this."

Hirokazu frowned. "Don't tell me you're backing out! After all that time it took for us to plan everything, you just wanna give up?" He asked incredulously.

"Of course I don't want to give up! But," Kenta hesitated. "Maybe we shouldn't interfere with Takato and Juri's lives like this."

"We're helping them!" Hirokazu exclaimed, causing numerous students to turn and stare at him and Kenta. Kenta began to blush, while Hirokazu simply smiled and waved.

Speaking lower, Hirokazu whispered, "They're both perfect for each other and they don't even know it. We're just giving them the extra push that they need for love!"

Kenta looked at him blankly, then blinked. "Dude, I think you've seen Sailor Moon ten too many times."

"Me? Well at least I don't sleep with a picture of Sailor Mercury under my pillow." Hirokazu retorted rolling his eyes.

"She's pretty and we have a lot in common." Kenta replied blushing.

Hirokazu looked unconvinced. "Uh, huh right." His gaze traveled towards the school exit door and as several students came from it, his eyes widened as he saw Juri among them, her lunch and puppet on hand.

"Okay there's Juri. I'll go work on her and you look for Takato. If you see him, try to distract him." Hirokazu began walking away.

"Distract him? What am supposed to do?" Kenta called after him.

Hirokazu grinned. "Maybe you can tell him all about you and Sailor Mercury."

"Ha, ha, very funny." Kenta said scowling.

~*~

Juri's eyes scanned through the crowds of students, searching for Takato. She had almost forgotten that their were so many people in the school, since most of her day was spent within one class,  but seeing everyone all together made her feel a little happier.

She was so intent of her search that she didn't notice Hirokazu until she had practically bumped into him. "Oh, I'm sorry." She said quickly.

"No problem." Hirokazu grinned. "Looking for Takato must be really distracting, eh?"

His effort was rewarded when Juri began to blush a light pink.

"There are just so many people, I wasn't sure where to sit." She answered softly trying to draw his attention from her face.

"Hey, I understand. With all the stuff that's happened between you two, there's no reason

why you shouldn't be looking for him."

Juri looked at him with embarrassment. "Do you really think so?" She asked timidly.

Oh man, this is great! Hirokazu thought happily. Aloud he said, "Definitely. You know, after everything that's happened, I think that Takato could use a little fun in his life."

"He was so sad when Gigimon left." Juri agreed. "But what do you think we could do?"

Hirokazu pretended to consider things. "Well, I think he might like something in park, um maybe some kind of a party?"

Juri smiled as an idea came to her. "A picnic would be perfect for the park! My step mom makes really great food and she could help me get everything together."

"What a great idea!" Hirokazu said enthusiastically. "And what better day to have it then tomorrow. With no school, you guys could go really early and spend some time hanging out."

"That sounds so nice. But we'll have to invite Jenrya, Kenta, Ruki, and Ryou too."

For a moment, Hirokazu panicked. "Oh no, you can't do that!" He said waving his hands wildly.

Now Juri was curious. "Why not?" She asked.

"Because, Jen's pretty busy and Ryou probably has some important stuff to do too. And Kenta and I can't go because we're both-uh…grounded and Ruki, well you know Ruki, I bet that she-um has tons of stuff to do with her mom and besides, you don't want all of us messing up your day with Takato, do you?" Hirokazu stammered nervously.

Juri stared at him for a minute. "Hirokazu, why are you doing this?" She finally asked.

"Honestly," Hirokazu began, "I just want Takato and you to be happy, that's all."

"Thank you." Juri said happily.

"Like I said, no problem. But, hey, there's Takato coming outside! You better hurry and talk to him. You can't have that much of a picnic if he isn't there."

"You're right, yip!" Juri's puppet suddenly spoke out from atop her hand. "Juri has to go talk to Takato now, but she'll see you later, rowf!" And with that, Juri ran away from him, back towards the entrance of the school.

Hirokazu watched her for a minute, then turned back towards Kenta. He gave his best friend a large smile. All Takato had to do was say yes and everything would be perfect. And Ruki said we were idiots. Would idiots have been able to bring their two friends together without using an evil digimon or a crazy computer program to do it? No way! Hirokazu and Kenta, matchmakers extraordinaire is a success! Now Jen and Ruki, they might be a little trouble…

~*~

Wow, I never believed it when Hirokazu said that Ms. Asanuma had eyes in the back of her head, but now I'm starting to wonder… Takato thought, still surprised over what had just happened.

He would have expected Ms. Asanuma to hold him after class for not paying attention, but he didn't think that she would notice him doodling when her back was turned. All in all he considered himself lucky that she had seen fit to make him only write an essay, rather than call home to his parents.

If Ruki found out, she would probably laugh about it. I can stand up to evil digimon and D-Reaper with little trouble, but when it comes to my Mom, I think she's a lot scarier than Beelzebumon could ever be. 

A small grin crossed Takato's face. He knew that he was exaggerating, but when it came down to it, he would have taken on all twelve of the Devas rather than have Ms. Asanuma call home and have his mother think he had become a troublemaker.

He had been planned upon visiting Ruki that afternoon, but completing his essay about decorum and using proper manners while in class, on top of his regular homework, would probably take some time. But there's always tomorrow. Takato thought optimistically.

Takato scanned the crowd outside, searching for Hirokazu or Jenrya, but immediately felt more at ease when he noticed Juri heading straight towards him.

"Juri, hi." He said smiling.

Juri smiled back and made her puppet "speak," "Rowf, hello Takato. Juri wants to talk to you alone now, rowf."

"Alone? Um, okay." Takato responded slightly confused.

"Follow me, rowf, rowf. Juri thinks it will be quieter inside."

Takato nodded. "Sure, I guess so."

The two Tamers made their way through the door that Takato had previously exited and stood in the empty hallway. Takato watched Juri closely, I wonder what she wants to say.

Juri took a deep breath and removed her puppet. "Takato," She said in her normal voice. "I just wanted to ask you if you would," Her face seemed to get redder and she lowered her eyes.

Takato felt more confused than ever. And for some reason, his face felt slightly warm as well.

"I wanted to know if you would go on a picnic with me tomorrow." Juri finished quickly. "My stepmother would make the food and we could go to the park, but only if you want to."

Takato felt stunned. Months ago he would have jumped and said yes to a situation like this. But now…many things had changed for him. For one thing, he really, really liked Ruki. And the kiss that they had shared had only succeeded in deepening those feelings. For another, when Takato had told  Juri, the real Juri, how he had then felt about her, she had told him that she only liked him as a friend. He had rescued her from the D-Reaper, but could that have changed her feelings for him that much?

Juri watched him seriously, awaiting his answer.

What am I supposed to do? Takato wondered uncertainly. After everything that's happened to Juri, I don't want to hurt her feelings. But he didn't want to hurt Ruki either. She didn't know what was happening, but that didn't make it any less wrong.

Juri sighed sadly. "You're probably busy, I understand. Maybe next week-"

Now or never. "No," Takato interrupted, "I'm not busy." He forced himself to smile. "Going to the park tomorrow sounds really fun."

Juri smiled again. "We'll have so much fun! Is there anything special you want my Stepmom to make?"

Takato shook his head. "No, whatever she makes I'm sure I'll like it."

Juri placed her puppet back on her hand. "Then Juri will see you bright and early, yip"

"Bright and early." Takato repeated. Ruki I'm sorry. He had a feeling that he was going to regret this.

~*~

Ruki Makino walked home from school much slower than usual. She prided herself upon being a sharp Tamer, always ready, always prepared for any situation, but didn't feel as though she had the energy to handle the school cafeteria staff at the moment.

Those sleepless nights were putting her through the wringer, both mentally and physically, and she didn't like it one bit.

As she passed Shinjuku Park, she debated stopping at the bakery and seeing Takato. She'd had so much on her mind, with the nightmares and such, she had barely given any thought to that previous evening. 

Nothing disgusted her more than those pathetic, swooning girls in her school, who practically drooled over their boyfriends. Not that gogglehead is even my boyfriend. She thought quickly. It was after all, only one kiss. But she couldn't deny that she had felt something very deep for Takato. Deep enough for her to be almost jealous of Juri, and surprisingly the same way he had had felt about Ryou.

Just thinking about Mr. Perfect, Akiyama Ryou made Ruki's stomach clench. She still couldn't believe the nerve of him to refer to himself as the "Digimon King," with her as his Digimon Queen. If things hadn't been so chaotic with D-Reaper and Juri's rescue, she would have decked him for that  remark.

But Ryou didn't matter at the moment. He was in a different city, doing who knew what at the moment and as long as he was away from her, then Ruki was happy.

She shook her head and continued walking. As much as she would admit that she wanted to see Takato, she wanted to see her bedroll even more. I'll see you tomorrow gogglehead. She thought feeling resolute.

The air suddenly took on an eerie chill and caused Ruki to shiver slightly in her light uniform. This is beginning to get irritating. As though sensing her thoughts, the frigid wind began to fade, but not before Ruki heard a strange voice calling her name.

Ruki snarled slightly as things became normal once again. First this thing is in my nightmares, now its following me home? This all feels really familiar. A thought suddenly came to her and her eyes narrowed. If this thing is after me, then it might go after Mom or Grandma. She began running rapidly, despite her tired muscles.

If anything has happened to them, then whatever hurt them is going to deal with me. Makino Ruki, The Digimon Queen thought fiercely as she ran home.

~*~

From the shadows of the trees, it watched her. Its attempt at frightening her had not gone the way it had thought it would. Having no regard for humans, it assumed that she would have been fearful and afraid, but she had responded to it with anger instead.

Most unexpected, it thought. Perhaps this is what drew him to her, her strength and power combined. It bared its rows of teeth in a sickening grimace. She shows no fear, but when she comes before me, I shall make her die screaming.

And with this final thought, it melded into the darkness and vanished.

~*~

I'm sorry if this chapter was boring, but things really begin to unravel in the next chapter. And Ruki fans, don't worry, the next chapter will focus more upon her.

Both Ruki and Takato get big surprises, neither of which are good. Jenrya gets a surprise of his own when his father receives a phone call from someone very familiar and Hirokazu and Kenta's "brilliant plan" is about to have serious repercussions upon everyone involved. Chapter five-Surprise should be uploaded soon.