Ruki led the group toward where Takato had said Jenrya was captured. Where else were they to go? None of them had any idea of where their friend was, except that it was somewhere west, but other than that they had no idea, left to search for him aimlessly when he could be anywhere in the world.
"Hey princess! Can we stop now?" Hirokazu asked Ruki.
"If you never call me princess again I might consider it," she replied.
"All right, Kenta and I promise we won't call you that. So now what do say?" he asked.
"Still no," she said quickly and firmly. Hirokazu groaned.
"Aw come on Ruki! We're not like you, we're only human!" Kenta pleaded.
"And that makes me what?" Ruki questioned turning to the two boys.
"An alien, definitely an alien," Hirokazu and Kenta answered in unison expecting Ruki to get mad at them any minute, but to their surprise she didn't say a word.
"Just keep walking... Don't get angry," she told herself, "They enjoy seeing me get mad...".
"Can we just stop now!" Takato groaned, "We're almost to the spot that creature took Jenrya, if we stop here and rest we can reach the place by early morning tomorrow.".
"Oh fine, but if he gets killed don't go blaming me!" she replied, looking back at the small group she led. Everyone looked very tired, maybe stopping was the right thing to do.
The kids set up camp, all tired and hungry.
"Does anyone have anything to eat?' asked Shaochung.
"Not me...," Kenta said with Hirokazu replying simply by shaking his head.
"Nope. What about you Ruki?" Takato asked. Ruki shook her head also.
"I can't believe none of you were bright enough to bring something for us to eat!" whined Takato.
"Hey it's not like you brought anything either!" Ruki reminded him.
"You guys, I have some food," said Juri, "It isn't much... just some fruit.". She took the food out of her backpack and gave a little to everyone, keeping a small portion of it for herself and saving the rest for later.
"At least someone has enough brains to know to bring food!" Hirokazu remarked, eating happily, "Thanks a lot Juri!".
"It was nothing... I'm willing to help in any way I can," Juri said.
"Well if you weren't here we'd all be going to bed hungry," Kenta pointed out, "We're all glad you came along Juri.".
Takato looked down at the fruit he held in his hand and then over the little bit Juri had. It wasn't fair that she had given them so much while she kept so little for herself. Takato didn't feel right keeping it all to himself.
"Hey Juri I'll share some of mine with you, that can't be enough to fill you," offered Takato.
"That's very sweet of you to offer Takato, but no thanks. You keep it... I'll be just fine," she insisted.
"Well all right...," he said, taking a bite into one of the apples he had, though Takato really couldn't fully enjoy it.
A little further away from the others sat Ruki. She took a bite of the banana in her hand. It didn't seem right to be enjoying fruit while Jenrya probably had nothing to eat. He might even be dead now for all they knew! Ruki put her banana down, she was no longer hungry. She knew this was about the time most girls would start to cry, but not Ruki. Crying was pointless to her, it wasted valuable time. If she actually took sometime to cry, he might be dead the they got to him. Sure Ruki was sad, but if she just sat around crying all day who'd rescue Jenrya? Ruki wasn't the type to cry, she was the kind of person who'd rather go out and do something about it.
"Hey can I have the rest of your fruit, Ruki?" asked Hirokazu as politely as he could manage.
"Why not?" she replied, tossing it too him. He stared for a moment, Ruki was never that nice to him, but he wasn't going to let the food go to waste and puzzle over it!
Ruki stared up at the now dark sky filled with twinkling stars. It had been hours since the sun had set and it was very late at night although Ruki was wide awake. She couldn't rest now, but she had no choice. Ruki lay on her back placing her hands behind her neck and gazed up into the sky at the full moon as it shone light down onto her. She loved to look up at the moon at night, it was always there to light up the cold, darkness of night and that made Ruki feel safe. No matter where she went it was right there, even if it got covered with clouds she knew it was watching her still. It was the only friend she could ever depend on, at least until she met Takato and Jenrya. They showed her what true friends were like, something she'd never known before. Ruki couldn't stand losing them especially Jenrya. If it hadn't been for him she would probably still think Digimon were nothing more than worthless pieces of data.
Ruki smiled as she thought of the great friends she had... Jenrya, Takato, Juri, Shaochung and even Hirokazu and Kenta sometimes. Then she closed her eyes tightly and eventually fell asleep.
The group of kids awoke to the blazing hot sun beating down on them. Once again they continued on, but the hot desert-like climate drained their energy and they were all very thirsty. There was no use looking for water, there was very little to be found in the vast desert they were passing through.
"It's so hot... I need some water," whined Hirokazu, ending the silence.
"Well we would stop if we could actually find any!" Ruki reminded him, "This is the desert! Do you expect to find a supermarket of some kind way out here?"
"At this rate we'll die in the desert," Kenta concluded.
"Don't think that way," Juri said, "We've got to think on the bright side.".
"Well it's true isn't it?" he asked. No one said anything, they all knew Kenta was probably right, but none of them wanted to admit it.
The rest of the way the group remained silent. Their mouths to dry from the heat to talk. At last they reached the spot where Takato and Jenrya had encountered the mysterious Digimon.
"Is this the place where Jenrya was kidnapped?" asked Ruki, looking at the large cracks in the earth. Takato nodded.
"Now where are we supposed to go?" Kenta asked to none in particular.
"I don't know...," Ruki admitted, looking from left to right unsure which direction they should take.
"That Digimon went west so that is the direction we should go to look," Takato said.
"But first, a break!" Hirokazu cried.
"Yeah!" agreed Kenta.
"No way!" Ruki protested.
"Oh, come on Ruki," Kenta pleaded.
"No," she answered firmly.
"Let's vote on it!" Hirokazu suggested, "Everyone who wants to stop just raise your hand!". As he said this Juri, Shaochung, Takato and Kenta raised their hands as well as himself.
"That's it, we're resting," Kenta said. Ruki sighed.
"I can't believe these guys want to rest now! I know people have limits, but we haven't been traveling for all that long. I'm so annoyed with Hirokazu and Kenta, they're wasting time! I can't believe I let them come along. How can this possibly get worse?" she thought.
"Hey guys!" said a familiar voice from behind. She immediately recognized it as Ryo's.
"It just got worse!" Ruki moaned. Not only did she have to put up with Hirokazu and Kenta, but with too good to be true Ryo. This would be unbearable...
"Hey Ruki, nice to see you again!" Ryo greeted her, hoping she would be nicer to him then on their previous meeting. She ignored him completely.
"Don't pay any attention to her," Hirokazu said, "The rest of us are glad you're here to help.".
"Hey Ryo, did you happen to see any strange Digimon flying in the sky about two nights ago?" Takato asked eagerly.
"Yes, I did," he replied.
"Well do you know where he went?"
"I'm not quite sure, but I think I might know where it was going," he said, "I think it may have went to the underground maze near here. It leads to a place few people have ever explored. It is said wild Digimon have made their home there and guard it from humans with their lives. Why do you ask?".
"Well a couple nights ago Jenrya and I encountered a Digimon. I was able to get away, but Jenrya wasn't so lucky," Takato explained.
"I have one more question for you... do you know where there's some water?" questioned Kenta.
"Not this again," Ruki thought in annoyance. They could certainly go without water for a little longer, she wasn't even that thirsty! Though the thought of drinking all the cool, clear water she could made Ruki suddenly very thirsty.
"As a matter of fact I do. Follow me," answered the know it all. He brought the group to a small stream. Tall trees grew on each bank and everyone hurried to them, enjoying some shade from the blazing heat.
"So Ryo... I plan to make some use out of you being here so I want to ask where is the maze you've told us about?" asked Ruki.
"It's pretty far from here," Ryo said, turning around and pointing to an area covered thickly with trees and bushes, "It's on the other side of that forest. I should take around three and half hours to reach on foot.".
"That forest looks like a place Ruki could get us lost in easily. Ryo, would might taking us there?" Hirokazu asked.
"No not at all, I'd be happy to take you there," Ryo agreed.
"Hold it. We don't even know if the Digimon Ryo saw was the same one Takato saw. Plus Ryo doesn't know for sure if that Digimon went to the maze he's talking about," Ruki pointed out.
"Well do you have any better ideas?" Hirokazu demanded. Ruki paused.
"I guess not...," she admitted, somewhat embarrassed.
"Well then I guess I should just take you to that maze now," announced Ryo.
"Hey! No one said you could come! We don't need a showoff like you," Ruki shouted.
"Hey Ruki, that's very rude! Ryo, we'd be honored if you came with us to find Jenrya," offered Hirokazu.
"Sure I'll come," he agreed. Ruki frowned.
"Just stay out of my way," she told him coldly.
"I'll remember that..." he replied. What else was he to say? Ryo was trying to make Ruki like him, but so far it wasn't working at all.
"You better!" shouted Ruki.
"You won't even know I'm here." he insisted.
"Hey guys!" Takato said, running up to the three, "Shouldn't we be heading to that underground maze right about now? Everyone drank all the water they wanted and I've filled my empty water bottle.".
"Well at last you say something I can agree with!" she answered, smiling slightly. Then she turned to the rest of them still relaxing in the shade she called out to them.
"Okay everybody, it's time to go!". Everyone stood up and joined the three who were ready and anxious to go.
"Is it time to go already?" complained Kenta.
"Yes, now quit your complaining or, we'll leave you here!" she replied.
"Hey he's my friend! Go easy on him Ruki!" Takato reminded her. She sighed.
"Okay, but only because he's YOUR friend," agreed Ruki.
"Well now that it is settled, why don't we go?" he suggested. The others nodded in full agreement as they went off.
Hours later after they'd made their way through the forest the tamers stood at the opening of this underground labyrinth, gazing out in the endless darkness ahead of them, doubts in their minds...
"What if we get lost down there forever?" Kenta thought, taking a step back.
"This may not even be the right way! What if Ryo's hunch is wrong?" Hirokazu asked himself.
"Jenrya might be dead now... another friend gone. Maybe we should stay here, then we'll never find out if he's dead or, alive. That's seems better than finding him dead somewhere." thought Juri.
"What if I never see big brother again?" Shaochung thought, a tear rolling down her cheek, "What if I can't save him?".
"Can we really do this?" was all Takato could of think. He feared they'd never make it. He'd couldn't think like that! They have to at least try, right?
"I don't care what happens! We have to find him! I'm determined to find him dead or, alive!" thought Ruki. Could he really be dead though? She expected them to find him somewhere alive and well, but what if he weren't alive at all? What if this searching was all for nothing? What if... Ruki shook her head, pushing these questions away. They couldn't bother with what ifs they had to do something! Everyone knew that deep inside.
Ruki bravely stepped forward into the seemingly endless maze of darkness. In her heart she knew she had to do this for Jenrya, but her mind wasn't quite sure yet what to do.
"Come on you guys!" she commanded, motioning for them to follow her as she led them down into the dark maze.
The Tamers hadn't walked for long when they came across a fork in the path and they were stuck with the decision of which way to go.
Takato leaned forward, he could see something carved into the wall.
"Look at this," Takato said, trying to read the small carvings.
"I think I can read it," Ruki said, recognizing a few of the carvings. She slowly began to read the message aloud.
"Are you to go left or, right? Your choice is more important than you may think. The wrong path leads to death by a terrible monster and on the other path is the way out. Do not make you choice too quickly, your life may depend on it.".
"I say we should go right, after all it is the RIGHT path. Get it?" suggested Takato with a laugh.
"That's stupid. We should go left!" argued Ruki.
"Right!" Takato insisted.
"See you think I'm right. We'll go left then!" Ruki wasn't going to back down.
"That's not what I mean and you know it! We should go right!" he shouted.
"No left!"
"Right! We should go right!"
"Can't you see the right path is left?!"
"The right path is right!"
. "Well let's vote on it," Hirokazu interrupted the argument, "Who says right is the right direction to go?". He raised his hand along with Takato and Ryo.
"Hey Kenta! You didn't vote!" Hirokazu cried.
"So? I don't have to be just like you do I?" he questioned.
"Well if you want to be on the girls' side I'm not gonna stop-" he started to say.
"I do," he said. Hirokazu stared at his friend, Kenta always agreed with him, but not this time. That's weird...
"Traitor...," Hirokazu said under his breath.
"Now who says that we should go left?" Ruki asked raising her hand as Kenta and Juri did the same.
"Shaochung, why didn't you vote?" Ruki demanded.
"I'm not sure...," she answered, "Which way is left again?". Ruki groaned.
"Well I guess that makes it a tie," Ryo observed.
"It's already late afternoon and we haven't eaten since early this morning so I think we should wait here and decide tomorrow morning which path to take," Takato suggested.
"We can't! That'll just waste time! Don't you even care if we find Jenrya?" she questioned.
"How can you say that? We can't make this decision too quickly Ruki. Why can't we have some time to rest a little," he replied.
"You're not supposed to rest when someone's life may be in your hands! But you don't care at all do you?" Ruki shouted.
"Of course I do! How can you say that I don't?!" Takato shouted back.
"All right you two. That's enough arguing for today," Ryo said, getting in between them.
"Fine, I'm right anyway," she agreed angrily. The group sat down for a late lunch.
"How can she say that?" thought Takato, "I care about my friends more than anything...". This was true, Takato treasured all his friends and would feel horrible if anything ever happened to them. Jenrya was Takato's best friend, he had learned so much from Jenrya and if Takato had a problem he knew he could always turn to Jenrya. He knew this whole thing would lead up to some big battle, but was he ready for it? Takato wasn't very confident. What if he just ended up being in the way? He hoped he could be brave and help fight, but wasn't sure that would happen. Takato imagined what it might be like if he lost Guilmon the way Juri lost Leomon. He couldn't handle it. Takato didn't know how Juri could put up with the sadness. He remembered what she was like right after Leomon died... Takato really wanted to comfort Juri, but he wasn't sure what to say. He cared so much about Juri, he wished he could bring Leomon back for her somehow...
Ruki looked over at Takato. She felt bad for saying he didn't care what happened to Jenrya. She knew better. She knew that Takato cared very much about his friends and that he considered Jenrya his best friend. Why was he holding back? Why didn't he seem as determined to find Jenrya as she was? Was Takato scared about what might happen? She wanted to tell him things would be fine, but she wasn't sure about that herself.
"Ruki, will Jenrya be okay?" Shaochung asked. Ruki had been afraid that she'd be asked this question. She had no idea what to say.
"Yeah he'll be okay," she answered hesitantly, hoping that was true.
The day slowly turned into night. There was much more talk about whether they should go right or, left and before they knew it was dark outside. The only light came from the small fire they'd built for warmth and light. The children were about to go to sleep, but Ruki had a somewhat different plan in mind.
"I can't just stay here and wait for the others, I've got to find Jenrya before something bad happens to him if it already hasn't," she thought. Then she closed her eyes and waited for the others to fall asleep.
It wasn't until very late at night that the last of them fell asleep and Ruki opened her eyes from her fake sleep. She was going out to find Jenrya... alone this time. The others would only slow her down, she had to do this alone.
"Renamon wake up," she whispered. Renamon opened one eye.
"What is it Ruki?" the creature inquired.
"I'll explain it all later. Now let's go," she answered.
Hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review if you haven't already and if you have thank you very much!!! As always I'd love to hear your ideas on ways for me to improve this story so please email me at either KawaiiCyndaquil4@aol.com or, Kari_02@lelola.zzn.com. Right now I'm trying to solve a problem with one of the future chapters for this story. It won't delay the next chapter, but it could delay any chapters after that one so if anyone want to help please email me. I'll try to have the next chapter up as soon as I can, but it may take awhile.
"Hey princess! Can we stop now?" Hirokazu asked Ruki.
"If you never call me princess again I might consider it," she replied.
"All right, Kenta and I promise we won't call you that. So now what do say?" he asked.
"Still no," she said quickly and firmly. Hirokazu groaned.
"Aw come on Ruki! We're not like you, we're only human!" Kenta pleaded.
"And that makes me what?" Ruki questioned turning to the two boys.
"An alien, definitely an alien," Hirokazu and Kenta answered in unison expecting Ruki to get mad at them any minute, but to their surprise she didn't say a word.
"Just keep walking... Don't get angry," she told herself, "They enjoy seeing me get mad...".
"Can we just stop now!" Takato groaned, "We're almost to the spot that creature took Jenrya, if we stop here and rest we can reach the place by early morning tomorrow.".
"Oh fine, but if he gets killed don't go blaming me!" she replied, looking back at the small group she led. Everyone looked very tired, maybe stopping was the right thing to do.
The kids set up camp, all tired and hungry.
"Does anyone have anything to eat?' asked Shaochung.
"Not me...," Kenta said with Hirokazu replying simply by shaking his head.
"Nope. What about you Ruki?" Takato asked. Ruki shook her head also.
"I can't believe none of you were bright enough to bring something for us to eat!" whined Takato.
"Hey it's not like you brought anything either!" Ruki reminded him.
"You guys, I have some food," said Juri, "It isn't much... just some fruit.". She took the food out of her backpack and gave a little to everyone, keeping a small portion of it for herself and saving the rest for later.
"At least someone has enough brains to know to bring food!" Hirokazu remarked, eating happily, "Thanks a lot Juri!".
"It was nothing... I'm willing to help in any way I can," Juri said.
"Well if you weren't here we'd all be going to bed hungry," Kenta pointed out, "We're all glad you came along Juri.".
Takato looked down at the fruit he held in his hand and then over the little bit Juri had. It wasn't fair that she had given them so much while she kept so little for herself. Takato didn't feel right keeping it all to himself.
"Hey Juri I'll share some of mine with you, that can't be enough to fill you," offered Takato.
"That's very sweet of you to offer Takato, but no thanks. You keep it... I'll be just fine," she insisted.
"Well all right...," he said, taking a bite into one of the apples he had, though Takato really couldn't fully enjoy it.
A little further away from the others sat Ruki. She took a bite of the banana in her hand. It didn't seem right to be enjoying fruit while Jenrya probably had nothing to eat. He might even be dead now for all they knew! Ruki put her banana down, she was no longer hungry. She knew this was about the time most girls would start to cry, but not Ruki. Crying was pointless to her, it wasted valuable time. If she actually took sometime to cry, he might be dead the they got to him. Sure Ruki was sad, but if she just sat around crying all day who'd rescue Jenrya? Ruki wasn't the type to cry, she was the kind of person who'd rather go out and do something about it.
"Hey can I have the rest of your fruit, Ruki?" asked Hirokazu as politely as he could manage.
"Why not?" she replied, tossing it too him. He stared for a moment, Ruki was never that nice to him, but he wasn't going to let the food go to waste and puzzle over it!
Ruki stared up at the now dark sky filled with twinkling stars. It had been hours since the sun had set and it was very late at night although Ruki was wide awake. She couldn't rest now, but she had no choice. Ruki lay on her back placing her hands behind her neck and gazed up into the sky at the full moon as it shone light down onto her. She loved to look up at the moon at night, it was always there to light up the cold, darkness of night and that made Ruki feel safe. No matter where she went it was right there, even if it got covered with clouds she knew it was watching her still. It was the only friend she could ever depend on, at least until she met Takato and Jenrya. They showed her what true friends were like, something she'd never known before. Ruki couldn't stand losing them especially Jenrya. If it hadn't been for him she would probably still think Digimon were nothing more than worthless pieces of data.
Ruki smiled as she thought of the great friends she had... Jenrya, Takato, Juri, Shaochung and even Hirokazu and Kenta sometimes. Then she closed her eyes tightly and eventually fell asleep.
The group of kids awoke to the blazing hot sun beating down on them. Once again they continued on, but the hot desert-like climate drained their energy and they were all very thirsty. There was no use looking for water, there was very little to be found in the vast desert they were passing through.
"It's so hot... I need some water," whined Hirokazu, ending the silence.
"Well we would stop if we could actually find any!" Ruki reminded him, "This is the desert! Do you expect to find a supermarket of some kind way out here?"
"At this rate we'll die in the desert," Kenta concluded.
"Don't think that way," Juri said, "We've got to think on the bright side.".
"Well it's true isn't it?" he asked. No one said anything, they all knew Kenta was probably right, but none of them wanted to admit it.
The rest of the way the group remained silent. Their mouths to dry from the heat to talk. At last they reached the spot where Takato and Jenrya had encountered the mysterious Digimon.
"Is this the place where Jenrya was kidnapped?" asked Ruki, looking at the large cracks in the earth. Takato nodded.
"Now where are we supposed to go?" Kenta asked to none in particular.
"I don't know...," Ruki admitted, looking from left to right unsure which direction they should take.
"That Digimon went west so that is the direction we should go to look," Takato said.
"But first, a break!" Hirokazu cried.
"Yeah!" agreed Kenta.
"No way!" Ruki protested.
"Oh, come on Ruki," Kenta pleaded.
"No," she answered firmly.
"Let's vote on it!" Hirokazu suggested, "Everyone who wants to stop just raise your hand!". As he said this Juri, Shaochung, Takato and Kenta raised their hands as well as himself.
"That's it, we're resting," Kenta said. Ruki sighed.
"I can't believe these guys want to rest now! I know people have limits, but we haven't been traveling for all that long. I'm so annoyed with Hirokazu and Kenta, they're wasting time! I can't believe I let them come along. How can this possibly get worse?" she thought.
"Hey guys!" said a familiar voice from behind. She immediately recognized it as Ryo's.
"It just got worse!" Ruki moaned. Not only did she have to put up with Hirokazu and Kenta, but with too good to be true Ryo. This would be unbearable...
"Hey Ruki, nice to see you again!" Ryo greeted her, hoping she would be nicer to him then on their previous meeting. She ignored him completely.
"Don't pay any attention to her," Hirokazu said, "The rest of us are glad you're here to help.".
"Hey Ryo, did you happen to see any strange Digimon flying in the sky about two nights ago?" Takato asked eagerly.
"Yes, I did," he replied.
"Well do you know where he went?"
"I'm not quite sure, but I think I might know where it was going," he said, "I think it may have went to the underground maze near here. It leads to a place few people have ever explored. It is said wild Digimon have made their home there and guard it from humans with their lives. Why do you ask?".
"Well a couple nights ago Jenrya and I encountered a Digimon. I was able to get away, but Jenrya wasn't so lucky," Takato explained.
"I have one more question for you... do you know where there's some water?" questioned Kenta.
"Not this again," Ruki thought in annoyance. They could certainly go without water for a little longer, she wasn't even that thirsty! Though the thought of drinking all the cool, clear water she could made Ruki suddenly very thirsty.
"As a matter of fact I do. Follow me," answered the know it all. He brought the group to a small stream. Tall trees grew on each bank and everyone hurried to them, enjoying some shade from the blazing heat.
"So Ryo... I plan to make some use out of you being here so I want to ask where is the maze you've told us about?" asked Ruki.
"It's pretty far from here," Ryo said, turning around and pointing to an area covered thickly with trees and bushes, "It's on the other side of that forest. I should take around three and half hours to reach on foot.".
"That forest looks like a place Ruki could get us lost in easily. Ryo, would might taking us there?" Hirokazu asked.
"No not at all, I'd be happy to take you there," Ryo agreed.
"Hold it. We don't even know if the Digimon Ryo saw was the same one Takato saw. Plus Ryo doesn't know for sure if that Digimon went to the maze he's talking about," Ruki pointed out.
"Well do you have any better ideas?" Hirokazu demanded. Ruki paused.
"I guess not...," she admitted, somewhat embarrassed.
"Well then I guess I should just take you to that maze now," announced Ryo.
"Hey! No one said you could come! We don't need a showoff like you," Ruki shouted.
"Hey Ruki, that's very rude! Ryo, we'd be honored if you came with us to find Jenrya," offered Hirokazu.
"Sure I'll come," he agreed. Ruki frowned.
"Just stay out of my way," she told him coldly.
"I'll remember that..." he replied. What else was he to say? Ryo was trying to make Ruki like him, but so far it wasn't working at all.
"You better!" shouted Ruki.
"You won't even know I'm here." he insisted.
"Hey guys!" Takato said, running up to the three, "Shouldn't we be heading to that underground maze right about now? Everyone drank all the water they wanted and I've filled my empty water bottle.".
"Well at last you say something I can agree with!" she answered, smiling slightly. Then she turned to the rest of them still relaxing in the shade she called out to them.
"Okay everybody, it's time to go!". Everyone stood up and joined the three who were ready and anxious to go.
"Is it time to go already?" complained Kenta.
"Yes, now quit your complaining or, we'll leave you here!" she replied.
"Hey he's my friend! Go easy on him Ruki!" Takato reminded her. She sighed.
"Okay, but only because he's YOUR friend," agreed Ruki.
"Well now that it is settled, why don't we go?" he suggested. The others nodded in full agreement as they went off.
Hours later after they'd made their way through the forest the tamers stood at the opening of this underground labyrinth, gazing out in the endless darkness ahead of them, doubts in their minds...
"What if we get lost down there forever?" Kenta thought, taking a step back.
"This may not even be the right way! What if Ryo's hunch is wrong?" Hirokazu asked himself.
"Jenrya might be dead now... another friend gone. Maybe we should stay here, then we'll never find out if he's dead or, alive. That's seems better than finding him dead somewhere." thought Juri.
"What if I never see big brother again?" Shaochung thought, a tear rolling down her cheek, "What if I can't save him?".
"Can we really do this?" was all Takato could of think. He feared they'd never make it. He'd couldn't think like that! They have to at least try, right?
"I don't care what happens! We have to find him! I'm determined to find him dead or, alive!" thought Ruki. Could he really be dead though? She expected them to find him somewhere alive and well, but what if he weren't alive at all? What if this searching was all for nothing? What if... Ruki shook her head, pushing these questions away. They couldn't bother with what ifs they had to do something! Everyone knew that deep inside.
Ruki bravely stepped forward into the seemingly endless maze of darkness. In her heart she knew she had to do this for Jenrya, but her mind wasn't quite sure yet what to do.
"Come on you guys!" she commanded, motioning for them to follow her as she led them down into the dark maze.
The Tamers hadn't walked for long when they came across a fork in the path and they were stuck with the decision of which way to go.
Takato leaned forward, he could see something carved into the wall.
"Look at this," Takato said, trying to read the small carvings.
"I think I can read it," Ruki said, recognizing a few of the carvings. She slowly began to read the message aloud.
"Are you to go left or, right? Your choice is more important than you may think. The wrong path leads to death by a terrible monster and on the other path is the way out. Do not make you choice too quickly, your life may depend on it.".
"I say we should go right, after all it is the RIGHT path. Get it?" suggested Takato with a laugh.
"That's stupid. We should go left!" argued Ruki.
"Right!" Takato insisted.
"See you think I'm right. We'll go left then!" Ruki wasn't going to back down.
"That's not what I mean and you know it! We should go right!" he shouted.
"No left!"
"Right! We should go right!"
"Can't you see the right path is left?!"
"The right path is right!"
. "Well let's vote on it," Hirokazu interrupted the argument, "Who says right is the right direction to go?". He raised his hand along with Takato and Ryo.
"Hey Kenta! You didn't vote!" Hirokazu cried.
"So? I don't have to be just like you do I?" he questioned.
"Well if you want to be on the girls' side I'm not gonna stop-" he started to say.
"I do," he said. Hirokazu stared at his friend, Kenta always agreed with him, but not this time. That's weird...
"Traitor...," Hirokazu said under his breath.
"Now who says that we should go left?" Ruki asked raising her hand as Kenta and Juri did the same.
"Shaochung, why didn't you vote?" Ruki demanded.
"I'm not sure...," she answered, "Which way is left again?". Ruki groaned.
"Well I guess that makes it a tie," Ryo observed.
"It's already late afternoon and we haven't eaten since early this morning so I think we should wait here and decide tomorrow morning which path to take," Takato suggested.
"We can't! That'll just waste time! Don't you even care if we find Jenrya?" she questioned.
"How can you say that? We can't make this decision too quickly Ruki. Why can't we have some time to rest a little," he replied.
"You're not supposed to rest when someone's life may be in your hands! But you don't care at all do you?" Ruki shouted.
"Of course I do! How can you say that I don't?!" Takato shouted back.
"All right you two. That's enough arguing for today," Ryo said, getting in between them.
"Fine, I'm right anyway," she agreed angrily. The group sat down for a late lunch.
"How can she say that?" thought Takato, "I care about my friends more than anything...". This was true, Takato treasured all his friends and would feel horrible if anything ever happened to them. Jenrya was Takato's best friend, he had learned so much from Jenrya and if Takato had a problem he knew he could always turn to Jenrya. He knew this whole thing would lead up to some big battle, but was he ready for it? Takato wasn't very confident. What if he just ended up being in the way? He hoped he could be brave and help fight, but wasn't sure that would happen. Takato imagined what it might be like if he lost Guilmon the way Juri lost Leomon. He couldn't handle it. Takato didn't know how Juri could put up with the sadness. He remembered what she was like right after Leomon died... Takato really wanted to comfort Juri, but he wasn't sure what to say. He cared so much about Juri, he wished he could bring Leomon back for her somehow...
Ruki looked over at Takato. She felt bad for saying he didn't care what happened to Jenrya. She knew better. She knew that Takato cared very much about his friends and that he considered Jenrya his best friend. Why was he holding back? Why didn't he seem as determined to find Jenrya as she was? Was Takato scared about what might happen? She wanted to tell him things would be fine, but she wasn't sure about that herself.
"Ruki, will Jenrya be okay?" Shaochung asked. Ruki had been afraid that she'd be asked this question. She had no idea what to say.
"Yeah he'll be okay," she answered hesitantly, hoping that was true.
The day slowly turned into night. There was much more talk about whether they should go right or, left and before they knew it was dark outside. The only light came from the small fire they'd built for warmth and light. The children were about to go to sleep, but Ruki had a somewhat different plan in mind.
"I can't just stay here and wait for the others, I've got to find Jenrya before something bad happens to him if it already hasn't," she thought. Then she closed her eyes and waited for the others to fall asleep.
It wasn't until very late at night that the last of them fell asleep and Ruki opened her eyes from her fake sleep. She was going out to find Jenrya... alone this time. The others would only slow her down, she had to do this alone.
"Renamon wake up," she whispered. Renamon opened one eye.
"What is it Ruki?" the creature inquired.
"I'll explain it all later. Now let's go," she answered.
Hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review if you haven't already and if you have thank you very much!!! As always I'd love to hear your ideas on ways for me to improve this story so please email me at either KawaiiCyndaquil4@aol.com or, Kari_02@lelola.zzn.com. Right now I'm trying to solve a problem with one of the future chapters for this story. It won't delay the next chapter, but it could delay any chapters after that one so if anyone want to help please email me. I'll try to have the next chapter up as soon as I can, but it may take awhile.