The continuation of Enemy of the Heart. Enjoy!

Broken Mind

Section 1: It's so dark

Takato looked up at the sky. The stars shone through the clouds as they lit up one by one. But that wasn't what he was looking at. His gaze lay directly at the blues of space that surrounded them. It was as if he was enchanted by it. The winter winds flowed through his hair biting him with its cold touch. But with his mind in darkness, he did not flinch.

"I don't get this…." he quietly stated for himself. He closed his eyes to remember the last time that he spoke to Ruki. He remembered that it was short and straight to the point, but it hurt. He remembered her face, how the many cuts were slowly healing and how her eyes had no light of forgiveness. He remembered the feeling, of being so close but oh so far away.

"Why is it so hard for me to shrug it off!?" It's been one month since that moment. Each day he could he tried to contact her. He even asked Lee to do that too. But it seems that she cut herself off from all of them. They would see her sometimes, even call out to her, but she'd keep on walking, ignoring them completely. All of them decided that they should just give up and leave her alone. Takato even thought of forgetting about her and to just hook-up with Juri. It just made more sense that way. He liked her and she liked him back, and not once could he see of having a problem like this with Juri. He thought of doing this so many times. So much that he was almost certain it was right. But then nights like these came around. Where his mind began to only think of Ruki, making him unable to sleep… When he'd look at the night sky becoming brave enough to phone her one more time and regretting not doing it any sooner.

"Maybe this means more than I want it to… Maybe she means more than Juri does. Because if it didn't, then I would be able to sleep right now." The solution was slowly creeping up on him, but only enough to tease the mind. He looked at the dark sky, deep full of mysteries, then at the bright stars and the moon. Subconsciously it always reminded him of her.

Section 2: I can't see

Ruki stood by the frozen lake. Snow fell serenely on her but she didn't notice. The glare of the sun reflecting off the ice left her a little out of focus. Relying on her other senses she was easily able to pick up on the people around her. She knew instantly from his voice who dared to approach.

"Ruki…?" Lee stopped a few steps behind her. He was hesitant to continue, but welled up the courage any ways. "How's it going?"

"What do you care?"

"I'm your friend. Why wouldn't I be."

"Stop you false statements. I don't buy it." She began walking away but stopped to tell him, "Go ahead and keep thinking we're friends but, I don't know you…"

"Ruki…?" Lee stood there like a lost child.

"AHCHOO!!!"

"Guilmon, here eat this…" Takato handed him his own homemade soup. They sat together in the freezing cold cement house. Other than blankets the soup was the only thing that he could think of to cheer up Guilmon while looking for another place for him to stay. "Take this bread too."

"Takato?!" Lee entered through the door sweaty and out of breath. He looked at him strait in the eyes, making sure that the next few words would sink fast into his head. "She's was by the lake, hurry, catch her before she's gone."

Takato stood up slowly. In his mind reactions on what to do were flooding in like crazy. It was his heart that finally pushed him out the door.

"Be careful Takato!" Lee shouted out, in hopes that his friend won't get blown off like he was. Who knew if Takato could take it.

'Please still be there. Please, PLEASE be there.' He ran as fast as he could. Distance didn't seem to matter to him. Neither did the icy sidewalks. Unfortunately this was his downfall. Slipping while turning the bend, he fell face first into the pavement. The mask of snow that wrapped around his face made him blind to the person in front of him. The mask fell revealing her. Ruki. Takato layed there, his eyes in shock that for once on his life luck was on his side. He lifted himself up and faced her. Speaking a little out of breath, "Ruki…"

She stood there for a moment. Contemplating on whether she should answer or at least give a rude remark. But she didn't. She just went around him and walked away…

'No!' Takato shifted fast enough to grab her by the arm. He wouldn't let another chance like this just pass by. "Ruki, please tell me what's wrong. What made you turn back this way?"

She stood, still faced away from him not wanting to speak. Unknowingly she was striking a string that even Takato never knew he had. It slowly tore bit by bit as the silence grew frighteningly deep. Again he said her name to remind her that he was still there.

"Get away from me." It was a command that she spoke with so much anger that it broke the string apart, snapping Takato's tolerance level. Ignorantly she continued, "I hate being near liars."

"LIARS!?!" He pulled her in with so much force it caught her off guard. They became face to face and for the first time Ruki was potentially inferior to Takato. It surprised her. But what surprised her the most was the fear he opened just by looking into her eyes. How can he be so mad by just one little comment? Slowly he started again… "Don't ever call me that! Maybe you should be happy that I'm trying to solve this problem. I'm not the one who lied. You're the one lying to yourself! Next time we meet, you'll be looking for me!"

He walked away not turning back to catch her as she fell. The confusion that plagued Takato's mind was now infesting hers.

"Takato…? How…do you do this to me?"

Section 3: Patch my wounds

"ARRRGGHHH!!! Why did I do that?!?" The day's events repeated over and over as Takato tried to figure out what compelled him to lash out at Ruki. "Darn it! I always seem to make things worse!"

"Maybe, I should just give up already..."

"What's wrong here? How did things get so complicated." Ruki sat on the floor with her head and arms on her table. When life seemed too hard she always did this to help her think. She just lied there and fazed out until an answer came. "What did he mean by I'm lying to myself? More importantly how can he still bother me like this!"

"AHG!!! It's like I'm blind!"

The sun rose up slowly brightening the whole world with its rays of light. Culumon skipped along the freshly plowed sidewalk enjoying himself as he cheered a tune. He ran this way and that, not forgetting to share his happy aura to all that saw him.

"Culumon!"

"Juri!!" She squealed as he jumped into her arms not forgetting to give her a hug or two. "Where are you headed?"

"I'm going to Takato's house to give him this." In her hand she held a wrapped up present but Culumon knew instantly that it was sweets.

Taking advantage of the opportunity he asked, "Can I come?"

"Sure!!"

"Hey look there's Juri!" Terriormon pointed out to Lee as they both walked to Takato's house.

"Hi Lee! Terriormon!" Culumon greeted them also.

"Hi. Uh… What are you doing here Juri?" Lee asked.

"I came to see Takato and give him a present. He's been looking down lately so I wanted to cheer him up." She finished by smiling at him.

"O…kay…" He turned into the shop wondering about what would happen if she knew what he knew. 'Poor Juri…'

"Hey kids! Do you want anything? Go ahead if you want. It's free." Takato's dad greeted Lee and Juri. He pointed at the digimon. "Even you two."

"YAY!!!" Culumon, Terriormon and Juri shouted in unison. They went to choose what they wanted as Lee made his way up to Takato's room. "This taste's great!"

*Knock Knock!!*

"Takato? It's me Lee." He stood there impatiently as Takato slowly opened the door. Pushing himself through and closing the door quickly to block off all sound he asked, "So what happened? Did you find her?"

"Well… You could say I did and didn't… Ya-know…I think I'm just going to forget about all this and find Juri… Thanks for the help Lee." Takato spoke so calmly that it almost convinced Lee that he was certain of what he said.

"What?" Was all Lee could say as Takato made his way downstairs.

"HEY! I didn't mean all of them!" Mr. Matsuda shouted as he tried to stop Culumon from eating everything in the store. Culumon jumped from shelf to shelf making his way all around toward the other treats he hasn't tried. "Takato stop him!"

"Huh? WHA-!!" Culumon had jumped on Takato's head just as he came into the room. Poor Takato fell flat on his face as Culumon ran out the door.

"Takato!" Juri exclaimed as she made her way toward him. He picked himself up with her help, but he was too dizzy to thank her or to stop himself for what he said next.

"RUKI! You're back! I missed you so much!"

"Uh Oh…" Lee and Terriormon said simultaneously as they watched Takato, brain-dead from the blow, hug Juri, but say Ruki's name.

"Takato what's wrong with you?" Juri asked while earnestly hoping that what she was hearing was wrong. "It's me Juri!!"

"Juri? Why would I like he-?" He stopped quickly enough to not do anything damaging. But just to make sure of this he went up to Lee "GUILMON!"

"Takato?-MON!" Lee embraced him in a hug then dragged him back upstairs away from Juri.

"Boys are weird." Juri says as she watches them go, curiosity in her eyes.

Section 4: To heal me…

"Woo! That was close!" Takato exhaled as he landed with his back on the bed. He put his hands behind his head and looked to the ceiling as Lee went to stand beside the window.

"You should have said it already…" Takato moved his head up to take a good look at his friend. Lee was the wisest of the group but what he said made Takato question his intelligence. Knowing he had to back up his reasons Lee continued, "If you just said that you don't like her then you wouldn't have Juri on your back all the time, and maybe then you could be with Ruki."

"Then I'd hurt Juri," Takato laid back down again. "Besides Ruki doesn't like me."

"It's better than leading her into nothing. What do you mean she doesn't like you?"

"I told you what happened."

"Hmmm… There's something more here. Ruki was so happy when she saw you at the party, but what could have changed her so much that it ruined all ties the group had with her? At first I thought it was because we didn't save her from the Snimon, but she blames herself for that, not us."

"I have no idea…" Takato closed his eyes hoping to wake up. "Why can't things be like it was before?"

"Takato… Times change. If it didn't then everything would be boring. Tell me," Lee walked over to Takato, just in case he needed to beat the information he wanted out of him, "Did anything happen between you and Ruki or Juri that you haven't told me about?"

"I don't think it's important."

"So there is something." His words seemed to point a finger strait at Takato.

"Look" He sat up, facing Lee with a guilty look. "Juri kissed me a few times but I don't think anyone was around to see.

"Probably not…But what else could be the reason for all this confusion."

"Let's just sleep on it okay?" Takato laid on his bed again with his face away from Lee. "My head hurts too much to worry about it."

"Fine I'll just find out on my own." Being the great friend that he is, Lee left the room quietly so that his troubled friend can sleep. He left the store with Terriormon, not even seeing Juri enter where he just came from.

"Where are we going Lee?" Terriormon asked as he sat on Lee's shoulder.

"Ruki's house. But you're the only one going in." They continued to walk both knowing the details of the 'mission'.

Juri silently crept into the room. Like a crazed boy-band fan she knew exactly what was in, and where, items were in Takato's room. Of course only because she's had access to enter it. But simple trinkets were not in her mind. Her focus lay directly on the softly snoring and slightly drooling Takato. She made her way toward him. Being the unfocused bum that he was he did not pick up on her presence. Not even when she was just only a few inches away…

"Takato?" She spoke quietly but had a hint of nervousness to it. The events that happened earlier were in the back of her mind. She needed to know if she really had competition. "Ta-Ka-To…!"

"Hrrrrmmm!" He replied sleepily and angrily as he tried to smack away Juri like he would his mom in the morning. "It's Saturday…"

"Oh Takato you're so cute when you're tired…" she whispered as she went in closer and closer to his face.

Section 5: Broken mind, Broken heart

"Go on Terriormon!"

"Okay okay! Sheesh! You know, no one asked us to do this!"

"Friends help out their friends no matter what okay?"

"Good point" was all you could hear of Terriormon as Lee gave him one last push to send him over Ruki's fence.

"Now where is she…" Terriormon walked around the little garden as he tried to find her. He could hear women talking inside the house but none that he needed to find. "If I was Renamon where would I be..?"

"Away from you…" Renamon slid into view, blocking Terriormon's path. "You know, it's rude to show up uninvited."

"Say that to Lee.."

"Oh my gosh! He's just so adorable when he's sleeping!" Juri kneeled close to Takato. Taking every moment to analyze him just like an artist does to a painting. She sat there for the last few minutes dreaming and fantasizing on what would happened if she woke him up a certain way…. At this moment her courage grew stronger than Leomon's…

"So you saw them!" Terriormon yelled in disbelief.

"It wasn't hard not too, but then again, I wish I turned away…" Renamon reflected on the night where she turned her tamer's one sign of happiness into bitter sorrow and doubt.

"Moumantai, I think there's still time to fix everything. We just got to find a way to get them to talk. You tell Ruki what she needs to know then we'll tell Takato."

"No…"

"What? Don't you wanna help th--"

"I think this is none of our business." Renamon's eyes were focused ahead but her voice was strong.

"But Renamon! Both of then are going down crazy road!"

"If you want things to turn out right then take care of it yourself. They're learning that now. Plus… some other important things…"

"Renamon…?" He called as she began to walk away.

"Stay out of it, and that goes for Lee too."

"So what happened?" Lee caught Terriormon as he jumped over the fence.

"She's the one who saw them kissing." He moved to Lee's shoulders as he continued. "She also wants us to stop interfering. I think she feels something's going to happen."

"Hmmm.." was all Lee could say back.

"You know what Lee?"

"What?"

"I agree with her."

"…Takato…" Juri breathed his name as she finally made contact with him. She softly kissed his lips as he slept, closing her eyes to enjoy all the warmth. Trying to reach him telepathically she tells him, "I love you."

"Hmmm?" Takato woke up gradually as he felt pressure on his face. Opening his eyes to just mere slits he caught a glimpse of Juri. Her cheeks were red as she lived in her own illusion. Takato, finally able to focus, teased her by giving a little pressure back, but deep inside he kind of enjoyed it. Taking in the moment, he too began to heat up … Then words fell into his head… It came in slow but hit him as hard as a cannonball.

'Your hurting her more…'

'What do you mean?' He replied to his conscience, 'If I'm with her then I won't ever get hurt or confused.'

'Have you ever heard of a prize at the end of a smooth path?'

'No…'

'Well, consider yourself getting nothing where you're going.'

'What are you talking about?'

'…You're not the only one that lies to yourself…'

He remembered. The coldness as she looked at him, the attitude for being an idiot. The first time that he took something so important for granted. He hurt her and he's doing it again to Juri. All because of thinking the easy way was right.

"Juri?" He pushed her away. Not forcefully but slowly enough for her to cool down to listen to what he has to say. "Juri, I'm sorry."

"For what?" She looked at him intently.

"I don't…Like you like that…" He said it fast but with no amount of nervousness or regret.

"But what was the whole k- "

"I'm sorry…" He began to make his way up to leave but stopped when Juri pulled at his sleeve.

"It's because of her isn't it." She trembled with anger as she said this.

"Yes and no…" without saying anymore he left his room and sprinted out of the shop eager to get away from anyone who would ask him what's wrong. But in reality he felt his worries disappear.

Section 6: Restore and depart!

Takato ran fast. His thoughts concentrating on one thing, to take care of this mess. He was in this state of mind all the way, completely enveloped to not notice or turn back when he passed by Lee. Lee didn't take offence though. He knew when Takato was certain about something. It was the same look he had when they first decided to go to the digital world.

"Lee aren't we going to ask why…?" questioned Terriormon.

"It's none of our business remember."

"Oh…Yeah."

"Wait a second…" Takato stopped in his tracks. "She still won't talk to me… So how can I…Lee!!"

"Hmm?" Lee turned around at the call of his name.

"I need you to try to get Ruki to come to the park." Unfortunately Takato didn't say enough for Lee to understand his plan. So he explained. "You know that Ruki won't talk to me so…"

"She won't talk to me either!" Lee hit back regaining his respect.

"Oh man…"

Lee came home annoyed and exhausted. Their attempts to get Ruki to meet them, let alone talk to them resulted into nothing but wasted time. 'Man, all I want to do is go to sleep.'

"Terriormon! Help Me!!!" Lopmon came running toward them wearing a pink frilly dress, with a yellow ribbon hat to match. He jumped on Lee's other shoulder hoping that maybe he can be out of reach of his Tamer.

"Lopmon! You'll be late for your party!"

"Suzie! I told you to stop making Lopmon do what he doesn't want to do!"

This is about the tenth time Lee has said this. You can imagine how irritated he was.

"Oh Lopmon I'm sorry." Her eyes began to shimmer.

"That's okay Suzie." Lopmon jumped down to embrace his tamer into a hug. "I hate being late anyways."

Lee looked at the innocent display. Thinking to himself, 'If only Ruki could be that forgiving.' Then his mind clicked, "Hey… Maybe she is."

Ruki sat in her room, leafing through her cards, only to be disturbed by her mother. "Ruki, there's someone on the phone for you."

"Who is it?"

"I don't know, but it sounds urgent."

"Is it a boy?"

"No."

"Give it here." She received the phone and was greeted with pleads of little girl.

"Ruki help me! It's so scary!!!"

"Where are you?!!"

"At the park!" She hung up. But it didn't matter because Ruki was already out the door.

"Was that good?" Suzie looked up at her brother for praise.

"Perfect."

'Where is she?' Takato looked around earnestly after receiving the great news from Lee. The plan was perfect but it still left him nervous.

"There's no digimon around here!… ah crap…" Easily she caught sight of Takato and he with her. They stood there, him in hope and her in anger for falling into a trap. Surprisingly though, Ruki made no attempt to leave. She wanted to hurt him for trying such a stupid attempt to talk to her, and for succeeding.

"I told you you'd come looking for me…" He said this as he folded his arms and smirked. Takato didn't expect himself to react this way in her presence. 'What's wrong with me!? I'm getting mad at her again! At this rate we'll kill each other.'

He moved his arms down to remove the false impression he made for himself. He even replaced the smirk, with no smile at all. But that didn't matter, his eyes seemed to say everything. Almost… pleading for redemption…

"Takato…" her voice faltered so she stopped, trying not to let his effect on her show. Instead she stared him down. He looked back knowing that things weren't turning out so right. Not letting the puppy-eyes fall.

'Dammit.' Ruki turned her direction away as she scolded herself, 'Stupid weakness.'

"Ruki…Wait…" Her trail of thought and anger stopped as her body began to get warmer. Takato continued to speak while still embracing her, "I'm sorry… I-I don't know why I'm so lost lately…"

Ruki stood still, wanting but not wanting to fight back the emotions that were flooding in. Neither did Takato.

"Before anything goes wrong again…" His voice began to tremble. Ruki didn't need to hear his voice to know that. She felt it. "I want you to know that…I care…"

"What about Juri." You'd think he'd be caught off guard with this question, but he wasn't, thanks to Lee.

He whispered her name while guiding her to face toward him. Slowly he bent in, closing his eyes to control his haywire emotions.

Without regret or fear, he kissed her.

The action shocked her and surprisingly made her cheeks burn. The warmth remained in her face and spread throughout her body. She cooled a little as her eyes began to water and after a moment, Takato moved away. Disbelief in his mind but his content was the only thing seen. "…Takato…Is this… really happening?"

"…Stay with me…" He breathed but once again he was caught off guard.

"Your such a Goggle-Head!!" Ruki shifted and hit Takato point-blank in the stomach.

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