Tamers: Stuck in Paradise
Part 11
by Christian "Sid" Lang
"I could use somebody to talk to."
The words echo in Veemon's mind. His eyes slowly drift to the fallen tree.
"O...kay..." he slowly answers, trying not to sweat.
They wander through the forest in silence. Veemon patiently waits for Gatomon to make her move.
He wouldn't hurry her. She looks disturbed enough already. She'd tell him when she is ready.
"Things have been quite wild since their arrival, huh?" she finally asks.
He nods and smiles. She doesn't have to say who she is hinting at. It's clear to them.
"Wild is the best word to describe it." he answers after a while.
He carefully watches her reaction. He is surprised when he realizes that her smile is faked.
Her smile could have fooled any other person or Digimon exept Kari, of course.
But Veemon has spent all his free time gazing at Gatomon. He knows her expressions.
Still he remains passive and waits for her to continue.
"How was it? I mean, kissing her." Gatomon suddenly asks.
The fighter of courage and friendship almost gets a heart attack.
His mind kicks into overdrive, unsure which way to answer.
In the time of an eyeblink, he reviews a hundred answers. All of them are flawed somehow.
"It felt... nice." he finally answers, letting his heart decide what to say.
She stares him into the eyes, not showing any kind of reaction.
"On the other hand, I guess that everybody's first kiss feels... nice." he adds.
She raises one of her eyebrows when he says that.
"That had been your first kiss?" she asks him in a surprised tone.
"Hey, who should I have kissed except for... you?"
She blushes when she hears his last remark.
Normally Veemon would have moved on on this path. Maybe Gatomon would...
But no. They're not on a date. Gatomon just needs a friend to talk to.
And Veemon would never fail his Gatomon. Whatever she asked him to do.
Still he has to ask her one question.
"While we're at it. How was your first kiss?" he asks, hoping not to disturb her.
Her eyes seem to be fixed on some distant spot for a second. Then she shakes her head.
"There hasn't been a first kiss yet." she finally answers, giving Veemon his second heart attack.
"What? You want to tell me that you and Patamon never..." he gasps.
Gatomon just shakes her head.
"Trust me. He would have told you so if there had been a kiss." she tells him.
Makes sense. the blue Rookie thinks.
Still he can't imagine that Gatomon has never kissed another Digimon before.
Then he notices that Gatomon frowns. Again, it's almost invisible. But it's there.
So it's about her love life. Has she made up her mind? What if she chose Patamon?
He clears his mind from thoughts like these. If Gatomon has chosen, he would accept it.
Although the forest might be a little roughed up the next morning...
"No. I haven't chosen yet." she says, having obviously read his body language.
"In fact, that's what is worrying me..." she adds, frowning visibly.
She seems to be lost in her own thoughts for a while. Then she shakes her head again.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't bother you with this. It's... wrong." she quickly tells him.
Before Veemon has a chance to think of an answer, Gatomon jumps into the darkness.
He stands there for some minutes, thinking about her last sentences.
Finally he starts to leave, lost in his own thoughts.
Unaware of the sad pair of eyes watching him go.
Not knowing that Gatomon had lied when she told him that she hadn't chosen yet.
It's almost midnight when Ruki arrives at the Kamiya's door.
The evening has been perfect. Maybe her mother hasn't been completely wrong after all.
"Well, I guess this is it then." Davis says and laughs nervously.
"Yeah..." Ruki mutters, her facing blushing until it has the same tone of red her dress has.
Both teenagers stand there for a while trying to avoid each other's eyes.
"Oh for the sake of it." Ruki suddenly mutters.
Before Davis has a chance of asking, Ruki embraces him tightly and plants her lips on his.
She can feel Davis' face get warmer, the boy is obviously blushing like mad.
Ruki can't see it, her eyes are closed while she passionately kisses the boy. Her friend. Her love.
She can feel Davis hands on her back. Ruki decides to keep the upper hand a little longer.
Her right hand crawls up, ruffling Davis' hair and effectively locking his head in the current position.
She lets the kiss last for a while, enjoying every millisecond of it.
Then, finally, she backs away, smiling impishly.
Davis gasps, obviously trying not to pass out here and now.
"Holy..." he mutters when he has enough air to speak again.
"Thanks. That has been the best evening in all my life." Ruki whispers as she hushes inside.
As she closes the door behind her, she giggles.
She knows that Davis mind is currently out of order.
The boy has already been in love. Now he's mad about her.
He'd do anything just to see her again.
And I'd do anything for another evening with him. she quickly admits to herself.
That kiss has sealed his fate. She has seen the little TILT-signs in his eyes.
Yes. This evening has really been perfect. she thinks, still giggling.
Ruki enters her room, feeling tired now that Davis is gone.
She yawns and approaches her bed, not bothering to switch on the lights.
Too tired to change my clothes. Just sleep. she tells herself.
Besides, Ruki really likes the feeling of silk on her body.
Facing her bed, she makes a mental note to praise Renamon the next morning.
Then she notices the movement in front of her face. Left. Right. Left. Right.
She follows the movement of the white object for a while.
Then she is aware what she is doing and jumps back.
Gasping, she sees the the object is in fact Renamon's white tail-tip.
Her Digimon is lying on her belly in her bed. Her bed. Ruki's bed.
Ruki already wants to protest when she notices that Renamon isn't even looking at her.
The fox simply stares out of the window, her tail moving lazily.
"Renamon." Ruki flatly calls her Digimon.
Renamon's head whirls around in terror.
"Ruki! How did- When-" she stammers, literally leaping out of the bed.
"How was your date?" Ruki asks.
Renamon had not even noticed her coming! Something must be very wrong.
"What's on your mind?" Ruki inquires, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
The she looks down at herself and realizes that she doesn't look quite that menacing in a dress.
"Nothing. I've just been watching the moon." Renamon avoids her question.
"Nice try." Ruki mutters.
She waits. Something is on Renamon's mind and Ruki deserves to know it.
Renamon is her Digimon. And Ruki has every right to know what-
Ruki blinks as she realizes that she has switched back to her Ice Queen behaviour again.
She looks down at Renamon and frowns. The slender fox avoids her eyes, looking very uncomfortable.
Ruki knows that the Digimon would tell her if she waited a little longer.
Renamon is completely loyal to her. She would answer if Ruki forced her to.
"He didn't realize that Digimon had feelings until it had been too late."
Davis' words seem to haunt her. But the DigiDestined has been right.
Renamon has feelings. And I should respect them.
"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it." Ruki breaks the silence.
She gently puts one hand on Renamon's shoulder and smiles at her surprised partner.
"If you feel like talking, I'll be there for you."
Renamon blinks and smiles, too. And Ruki somehow feels better. Renamon looks truly happy.
"Thanks. I really appreciate that." Renamon whispers.
The fox then curls up on her small blanket and seems to doze off.
Renamon is my partner. Not my tool. Not my weapon. she realizes, thanking Davis for this lesson.
Ruki sighs and decides to change her clothes to avoid any more wrinkles.
Then she lies down and closes her eyes.
"By the way... How was the kiss?" she can hear Renamon ask quietly.
"Perfect. Thanks for- Waitasecond!" Ruki answers, then protests.
She sits up and can hear Renamon snicker in her curled up position.
That fox tricked me! She'll pay for that! Ruki tells herself and smiles.
"How'd you know?" she finally asks.
"His aftershave is all over you. Especially on your face." Renamon mutters, still snickering.
Why did I have to get the talking bloodhound? Ruki wonders, trying not to giggle.
"Yolei." Hawkmon sighs, standing at Yolei's bed.
It's way past midnight, but Hawkmon can't wait any longer.
The young girl slowly wakes up and blinks. Then she gets her glasses and switches on the lights.
"Hawkmon?" she asks him, looking around.
"Yes. I have to talk to you." the bird tells her, sighing again.
Yolei seems to realize that something is wrong, because she sits up and cocks her head.
"It's about Renamon." Hawkmon finally admits.
"If you woke me just to tell me that you love her, you're in real trouble."
He shakes his head and frowns.
"I do love her. But..." his voice trails off.
"She told you she doesn't love you?" Yolei asks, gently stroking his feathered head.
"Not directly. The evening has been nice, she thanked me and all. But... Well..."
Yolei waits patiently. Hawkmon tries to find the right words.
"She seemed so... absent. As if her thoughts where somewhere else."
"Excuse me, I don't quite see your problem." Yolei mutters, having checked her watch.
Hawkmon sighs. Yolei is right, from her point of view.
"Guess I'm hust disappointed that she didn't tell me that she loves me." he whispers.
"Yeah. Ken has just been that way, too." Yolei tries to cheer him up.
"Right. But somehow... I have the feeling that there will be trouble."
Yolei hugs him and holds him close.
"Don't worry. We've been in trouble before." she tells him.
But Hawkmon doubts that everything will be fine in the end.
"Mornin'" Ruki greets Kari and the two Digimon.
It's almost lunch time, but Ruki has just woken up.
"I knew you'd look adorable in that dress." Renamon tells her instantly.
"It's perfect. Thank you." Ruki says, trying not to blush before lunch.
"Then I'll have to disappoint you." Kari states, making Ruki frown.
"Casual clothing on your next date." the DigiDestined continues.
Ruki gives Renamon a questioning look.
"T.K. just called. He proposed a rather large date." Renamon tries to summarize it.
"T.K., Davis, Ken, Yolei, you and me. And our Digimon." Kari explains.
"Davis' Mom has heard of a fancy new restaurant in the city." Gatomon adds.
"Sounds great to me. When are we going?" Ruki asks brightly.
"Tonight. We'll meet at the restaurant." Kari tells her.
Oh joy. Veemon, Patamon, Renamon and me in one place. Terrific.
Gatomon makes a mental note to claw Davis' eyes out at the first possible moment.
True, she has made her decision, but she is afraid of the consequences.
All of us are good friends. But I might summon a catastrophe. she thinks.
She sighs, earning a curious look from Renamon which almost makes her sigh again.
What's so special about her? Renamon asks herself.
Her date with Hawkmon had been nice. Hawkmon has been the perfect gentleman.
Still Renamon couldn't help but think about Gatomon.
The tall fox tries to think of something else. Of anything but the snow-white cat.
It doesn't work. Renamon could cry at the sight of the sad Gatomon.
Could this be... No. No. Don't even think about it, Renamon! she scolds herself.
"OK. Tell me what we've got." the tactical supervisor asks his assistant.
"We've got three helicopters, half a dozen tanks and two dozen troopers. Sir." the assistant answers.
"Transport for the Subjects?" the supervisor asks.
"Three specially modified trucks for the primary subjects and an APC for the secondary ones."
The supervisor nods and looks at the 12 names on his list.
"Six Digimon. Six humans. And we still have three days for the others." he muses.
"Do you want me to prepare the capture of the remaining subjects, sir?"
"No. Not yet. First things first."
The boss will be pleased. he tells himself.
Part 11
by Christian "Sid" Lang
"I could use somebody to talk to."
The words echo in Veemon's mind. His eyes slowly drift to the fallen tree.
"O...kay..." he slowly answers, trying not to sweat.
They wander through the forest in silence. Veemon patiently waits for Gatomon to make her move.
He wouldn't hurry her. She looks disturbed enough already. She'd tell him when she is ready.
"Things have been quite wild since their arrival, huh?" she finally asks.
He nods and smiles. She doesn't have to say who she is hinting at. It's clear to them.
"Wild is the best word to describe it." he answers after a while.
He carefully watches her reaction. He is surprised when he realizes that her smile is faked.
Her smile could have fooled any other person or Digimon exept Kari, of course.
But Veemon has spent all his free time gazing at Gatomon. He knows her expressions.
Still he remains passive and waits for her to continue.
"How was it? I mean, kissing her." Gatomon suddenly asks.
The fighter of courage and friendship almost gets a heart attack.
His mind kicks into overdrive, unsure which way to answer.
In the time of an eyeblink, he reviews a hundred answers. All of them are flawed somehow.
"It felt... nice." he finally answers, letting his heart decide what to say.
She stares him into the eyes, not showing any kind of reaction.
"On the other hand, I guess that everybody's first kiss feels... nice." he adds.
She raises one of her eyebrows when he says that.
"That had been your first kiss?" she asks him in a surprised tone.
"Hey, who should I have kissed except for... you?"
She blushes when she hears his last remark.
Normally Veemon would have moved on on this path. Maybe Gatomon would...
But no. They're not on a date. Gatomon just needs a friend to talk to.
And Veemon would never fail his Gatomon. Whatever she asked him to do.
Still he has to ask her one question.
"While we're at it. How was your first kiss?" he asks, hoping not to disturb her.
Her eyes seem to be fixed on some distant spot for a second. Then she shakes her head.
"There hasn't been a first kiss yet." she finally answers, giving Veemon his second heart attack.
"What? You want to tell me that you and Patamon never..." he gasps.
Gatomon just shakes her head.
"Trust me. He would have told you so if there had been a kiss." she tells him.
Makes sense. the blue Rookie thinks.
Still he can't imagine that Gatomon has never kissed another Digimon before.
Then he notices that Gatomon frowns. Again, it's almost invisible. But it's there.
So it's about her love life. Has she made up her mind? What if she chose Patamon?
He clears his mind from thoughts like these. If Gatomon has chosen, he would accept it.
Although the forest might be a little roughed up the next morning...
"No. I haven't chosen yet." she says, having obviously read his body language.
"In fact, that's what is worrying me..." she adds, frowning visibly.
She seems to be lost in her own thoughts for a while. Then she shakes her head again.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't bother you with this. It's... wrong." she quickly tells him.
Before Veemon has a chance to think of an answer, Gatomon jumps into the darkness.
He stands there for some minutes, thinking about her last sentences.
Finally he starts to leave, lost in his own thoughts.
Unaware of the sad pair of eyes watching him go.
Not knowing that Gatomon had lied when she told him that she hadn't chosen yet.
It's almost midnight when Ruki arrives at the Kamiya's door.
The evening has been perfect. Maybe her mother hasn't been completely wrong after all.
"Well, I guess this is it then." Davis says and laughs nervously.
"Yeah..." Ruki mutters, her facing blushing until it has the same tone of red her dress has.
Both teenagers stand there for a while trying to avoid each other's eyes.
"Oh for the sake of it." Ruki suddenly mutters.
Before Davis has a chance of asking, Ruki embraces him tightly and plants her lips on his.
She can feel Davis' face get warmer, the boy is obviously blushing like mad.
Ruki can't see it, her eyes are closed while she passionately kisses the boy. Her friend. Her love.
She can feel Davis hands on her back. Ruki decides to keep the upper hand a little longer.
Her right hand crawls up, ruffling Davis' hair and effectively locking his head in the current position.
She lets the kiss last for a while, enjoying every millisecond of it.
Then, finally, she backs away, smiling impishly.
Davis gasps, obviously trying not to pass out here and now.
"Holy..." he mutters when he has enough air to speak again.
"Thanks. That has been the best evening in all my life." Ruki whispers as she hushes inside.
As she closes the door behind her, she giggles.
She knows that Davis mind is currently out of order.
The boy has already been in love. Now he's mad about her.
He'd do anything just to see her again.
And I'd do anything for another evening with him. she quickly admits to herself.
That kiss has sealed his fate. She has seen the little TILT-signs in his eyes.
Yes. This evening has really been perfect. she thinks, still giggling.
Ruki enters her room, feeling tired now that Davis is gone.
She yawns and approaches her bed, not bothering to switch on the lights.
Too tired to change my clothes. Just sleep. she tells herself.
Besides, Ruki really likes the feeling of silk on her body.
Facing her bed, she makes a mental note to praise Renamon the next morning.
Then she notices the movement in front of her face. Left. Right. Left. Right.
She follows the movement of the white object for a while.
Then she is aware what she is doing and jumps back.
Gasping, she sees the the object is in fact Renamon's white tail-tip.
Her Digimon is lying on her belly in her bed. Her bed. Ruki's bed.
Ruki already wants to protest when she notices that Renamon isn't even looking at her.
The fox simply stares out of the window, her tail moving lazily.
"Renamon." Ruki flatly calls her Digimon.
Renamon's head whirls around in terror.
"Ruki! How did- When-" she stammers, literally leaping out of the bed.
"How was your date?" Ruki asks.
Renamon had not even noticed her coming! Something must be very wrong.
"What's on your mind?" Ruki inquires, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
The she looks down at herself and realizes that she doesn't look quite that menacing in a dress.
"Nothing. I've just been watching the moon." Renamon avoids her question.
"Nice try." Ruki mutters.
She waits. Something is on Renamon's mind and Ruki deserves to know it.
Renamon is her Digimon. And Ruki has every right to know what-
Ruki blinks as she realizes that she has switched back to her Ice Queen behaviour again.
She looks down at Renamon and frowns. The slender fox avoids her eyes, looking very uncomfortable.
Ruki knows that the Digimon would tell her if she waited a little longer.
Renamon is completely loyal to her. She would answer if Ruki forced her to.
"He didn't realize that Digimon had feelings until it had been too late."
Davis' words seem to haunt her. But the DigiDestined has been right.
Renamon has feelings. And I should respect them.
"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it." Ruki breaks the silence.
She gently puts one hand on Renamon's shoulder and smiles at her surprised partner.
"If you feel like talking, I'll be there for you."
Renamon blinks and smiles, too. And Ruki somehow feels better. Renamon looks truly happy.
"Thanks. I really appreciate that." Renamon whispers.
The fox then curls up on her small blanket and seems to doze off.
Renamon is my partner. Not my tool. Not my weapon. she realizes, thanking Davis for this lesson.
Ruki sighs and decides to change her clothes to avoid any more wrinkles.
Then she lies down and closes her eyes.
"By the way... How was the kiss?" she can hear Renamon ask quietly.
"Perfect. Thanks for- Waitasecond!" Ruki answers, then protests.
She sits up and can hear Renamon snicker in her curled up position.
That fox tricked me! She'll pay for that! Ruki tells herself and smiles.
"How'd you know?" she finally asks.
"His aftershave is all over you. Especially on your face." Renamon mutters, still snickering.
Why did I have to get the talking bloodhound? Ruki wonders, trying not to giggle.
"Yolei." Hawkmon sighs, standing at Yolei's bed.
It's way past midnight, but Hawkmon can't wait any longer.
The young girl slowly wakes up and blinks. Then she gets her glasses and switches on the lights.
"Hawkmon?" she asks him, looking around.
"Yes. I have to talk to you." the bird tells her, sighing again.
Yolei seems to realize that something is wrong, because she sits up and cocks her head.
"It's about Renamon." Hawkmon finally admits.
"If you woke me just to tell me that you love her, you're in real trouble."
He shakes his head and frowns.
"I do love her. But..." his voice trails off.
"She told you she doesn't love you?" Yolei asks, gently stroking his feathered head.
"Not directly. The evening has been nice, she thanked me and all. But... Well..."
Yolei waits patiently. Hawkmon tries to find the right words.
"She seemed so... absent. As if her thoughts where somewhere else."
"Excuse me, I don't quite see your problem." Yolei mutters, having checked her watch.
Hawkmon sighs. Yolei is right, from her point of view.
"Guess I'm hust disappointed that she didn't tell me that she loves me." he whispers.
"Yeah. Ken has just been that way, too." Yolei tries to cheer him up.
"Right. But somehow... I have the feeling that there will be trouble."
Yolei hugs him and holds him close.
"Don't worry. We've been in trouble before." she tells him.
But Hawkmon doubts that everything will be fine in the end.
"Mornin'" Ruki greets Kari and the two Digimon.
It's almost lunch time, but Ruki has just woken up.
"I knew you'd look adorable in that dress." Renamon tells her instantly.
"It's perfect. Thank you." Ruki says, trying not to blush before lunch.
"Then I'll have to disappoint you." Kari states, making Ruki frown.
"Casual clothing on your next date." the DigiDestined continues.
Ruki gives Renamon a questioning look.
"T.K. just called. He proposed a rather large date." Renamon tries to summarize it.
"T.K., Davis, Ken, Yolei, you and me. And our Digimon." Kari explains.
"Davis' Mom has heard of a fancy new restaurant in the city." Gatomon adds.
"Sounds great to me. When are we going?" Ruki asks brightly.
"Tonight. We'll meet at the restaurant." Kari tells her.
Oh joy. Veemon, Patamon, Renamon and me in one place. Terrific.
Gatomon makes a mental note to claw Davis' eyes out at the first possible moment.
True, she has made her decision, but she is afraid of the consequences.
All of us are good friends. But I might summon a catastrophe. she thinks.
She sighs, earning a curious look from Renamon which almost makes her sigh again.
What's so special about her? Renamon asks herself.
Her date with Hawkmon had been nice. Hawkmon has been the perfect gentleman.
Still Renamon couldn't help but think about Gatomon.
The tall fox tries to think of something else. Of anything but the snow-white cat.
It doesn't work. Renamon could cry at the sight of the sad Gatomon.
Could this be... No. No. Don't even think about it, Renamon! she scolds herself.
"OK. Tell me what we've got." the tactical supervisor asks his assistant.
"We've got three helicopters, half a dozen tanks and two dozen troopers. Sir." the assistant answers.
"Transport for the Subjects?" the supervisor asks.
"Three specially modified trucks for the primary subjects and an APC for the secondary ones."
The supervisor nods and looks at the 12 names on his list.
"Six Digimon. Six humans. And we still have three days for the others." he muses.
"Do you want me to prepare the capture of the remaining subjects, sir?"
"No. Not yet. First things first."
The boss will be pleased. he tells himself.