Promise of the Heart
Intro: For Takato and Ruki, things go from bad to worse... Ruki's about to find out... and Lee's about to experience heart break... Can things get any worse? Rukato, I suck at intros eh?
{}= Takato's thoughts
()= Ruki's thoughts
[]= Lee's thoughts
''= Everyone else's thoughts
""= Speech
***Part 2***
"You're what?!" Lee spewed out his tea at the news. "No way!"
Takato nodded silently. Lee stared at him, not knowing what to say. "But Ruki?"
Takato turned and stared out the window. He sighed, choking back his tears.
"Takato," Lee inched closer to him. "You haven't...given up...?"
"I'm engaged to Juri," said Takato, looking somewhat sad. "It all happened so fast..."
"But you told her you'd wait for her..." said Lee, perplexed. "Don't you love her?"
"Yes," said Takato. "But what are the odds of her coming back? I have to face the facts, she isn't coming back..."
Lee backed away, staring at him. "You're giving up..." Now that Lee wasn't as concerned for his friend, it dawned on him at what he had just said. Something deep inside of him cracked in two. "Juri..."
"Lee?" asked Takato, staring at his friend strangely. "Lee??" Lee stood, staring out the window. He snapped back. "What?"
"Are you ok?" asked Terriermon. "You were spacing out."
"It's nothing," said Lee, but really he was crushed. [Juri...] "Momentai."
"Ok," said Takato. "Well, I'm leaving, I have work tomorrow."
Lee smiled weakly. "Goodbye."
Takato took his coat and walked out the door. {Something's wrong with Lee...}
Takato trudged toward the park, where he found Juri. "Hey...um... Juri?"
Juri smiled and hugged him. "Yes my sweet?"
Takato smiled. "Listen... maybe we should reconsider..."
Juri's face fell. "Oh...I see..."
"Juri," said Takato. "I don't want to hurt you, and it's true I do love you... but..."
"What?" asked Juri. "What's wrong Takato?" {How can I break it to her, after all she's been through? I guess this is for the best... I must accept that Ruki isn't coming back...} Takato's eyes softened. "Never mind..."
Juri stared silently at him. She hadn't changed much, just the regular puberty changes girls go through. Her hair was still in that half ponytail, but she didn't carry the sock puppet anymore. She wore a green T-shirt and jeans now, and she had gotten Leomon back. 'Something tells me something bad is going to happen,' she thought hesitantly. 'I should reconsider...' She gave it some thought. On the one hand, she loved Takato, but on the other...
'Is this really what I want to do?' she asked herself. 'I feel strange...like I don't belong with him... but I love him, I've loved him since 5th grade... but...' An image of Lee flashed through her mind. 'Lee...'
Taakto waited silently for her to snap out of it. She shook her head. 'I love Takato more than anything... but is that really true? No! It is true! I love Takato!!' she told herself. She stared up at Takato. "I think we're fine, I mean... Ruki isn't here."
Takato's eyes softened and he embraced his fiancée. "I guess you're right... I don't think she's coming back..." He broke away and smiled. "Besides, it's been 7 years. I need to settle down with someone a little closer to home." He kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you Juri...see you in 5 days..." With that he turned and walked home. Juri stared after him, her fingers touching where he had kissed her. She smiled. "Bye Takato..." She sighed ad lowered her hand. "What is wrong with me?" For some reason she didn't feel right with Takato...
* * *
The alarm clock in Takato's room slowly spoke out the seconds. It was 3 seconds to midnight. Takato was asleep in bed, one arm slung over the side of it. His breath was heavy as he slept, the blue bear on his bedside table. He still had it, and for some reason he didn't want to return it.
It was midnight on the dot when something moved in the room. A figure stole into the shadows near the curtains, and slunk down toward Takato's bed. The moonlight illuminated only the middle of the room and the back wall, and cars flashed past outside, their shadows dancing on Takato's wall.
The figure's eyes darted around the room, and spied the bed. With a thin smile it leaped across the room, crossing the moonlight. The shadow played against Takato's sleeping self, causing him to stir. He turned over on his back and sighed. The figure had pressed itself against the shadows in the corner, and breathed a sigh of relief, as his slumber was constant.
The figure crept slowly and silently to the bedside table, next to where Takato lay. It came out into the light and stopped before the table and looked down, and slowly reached out to grab the bear...
Takato woke up with a start, startling the figure. Takato turned to the bedside table. "Who's there?"
There was nothing, just the wind playing with the curtains, his sliding door open a slit. Takato rubbed his eyes and yawned. {It was the wind... stupid door...} He got up wearily and went to shut the door. He was a few inches from the knob when something darted to the table behind him. Takato turned around, but nothing was there.
Unknown to him, the figure clung to the wall in the shadows above his bed, the blue bear clutched in its gloved paws. It pulled out the nameplate, and quietly re-stitched the plate to the bear. Takato shut the door, grumbling, and stood a bit to stare out the window. The figure sneaked toward the sliding door silently, but alas, Takato has sharp hearing. Takato heard a swish and turned around again. Again, nothing.
He walked tentatively back to his bed, searching the room for intruders. He slowly got into bed, closed his eyes, and sighed. {Must be my imagination...} He stretched and allowed himself to be drawn into a deep slumber.
The figure gazed around the room, still clinging to the wall near the door. Then it spied something. Its blue eyes widened and it stifled a gasp. It had seen Takato's engagement ring.
'No...' it thought. It dropped the bear, not knowing it had done so. Quickly, it slithered out of the house and leapt among the trees.
'This cannot be...' it thought. It threw itself into a jump and landed with a firm grip on a tree branch. Now visible in the moonlight, it revealed itself as none other than Renamon.
Renamon stared in shock at Takato's house. 'He's engaged... Ruki will not like this... not at all...' she thought, hastily. She began to run toward the mansion. 'Please say you haven't Takato...'
Renamon was halfway there when she suddenly stopped. 'Wait...' she thought. 'That could've been just an ordinary ring... if I know Gogglehead...' She gave it a little thought. 'I shouldn't alarm Ruki... it would break her heart... if it were true...' She sighed and started running again. 'I just hope I'm not right...'
Takato again awoke with a start. {Now what?} He sighed in annoyance, he was tired and whatever had been in his room had annoyed him. He blinked and waited for his vision to clear. It did, and he spotted the bear in the middle of the room where Renamon had dropped it. He got up. "How'd you get on the floor?"
He picked it up, and felt something on the back. "Hey, what the...?" He turned the bear over and gasped, eyes widening. "Oh my god..."
Takato *heart*
Read the nameplate. Takato stepped back in shock. {She's back...} He didn't know whether to scream or jump for joy. {If she's back... oh no...} His face fell. {How can I break this to her? I should've waited...} He sighed heavily, collapsing back onto his bed. He held the bear over him, tears slowly coming to his eyes. {Matsuki, you may have just made the biggest mistake in your entire life...}
* * *
Lee walked slowly toward the dorm. He had gone for a little walk, just around town to clear his mind. Unknown to Takato was that Lee had somewhat liked Juri too, and right now he was a bit depressed about the whole situation.
"Hey Lee?" asked Terriermon, who was on his usual spot on Lee's head. "What's wrong? You look sad...that and you're making me sad."
Lee smiled. "It's ok Terriermon."
"Momentai right?" said Terriermon, grinning. "Does this have anything to do with Takato's engagement?"
"No," said Lee flatly. "It has nothing to do with that, honestly."
"You're not pulling my leg right?" asked Terriermon. Lee smiled and playfully grabbed one of Terriermon's stubby legs.
"Now I am!" laughed Lee as Terriermon slipped from his position and giggled.
"Lee!" cried Terriermon, giggling. Lee smiled and placed Terriermon back on his head. "I'm fine Terriermon, momentai."
"Lee!!" came a cry. One of Terriermon's ears went up. "Hey Lee..."
"What?" said Lee, stopping.
"Lee!!!" came the cry again. "Geez Einstein wait up would you?!"
Lee arched an eyebrow. "Hey wait a minute... isn't that..."
"Ruki!!" cried Terriermon happily. Lee turned around to see Ruki run up to them. Lee smiled. "Ruki, you came back!"
Ruki stopped and stood before them. "Long time no see." She winked. "Did you miss me?"
"Only about this much!" cried Terriermon, spreading his arms out. Lee laughed.
"Hey Lee," said Ruki. "You look troubled. What's up? By the way, where's Takato? I can't find him anywhere."
Lee smiled. "I'm fine, it's just-
Lee stopped himself. [Oh no... Juri and Takato are engaged... and Ruki doesn't know... I shouldn't tell her...]
Ruki tapped her foot. "Just what? Lee, I'm not getting any younger..."
"You changed a lot," said Terriermon sarcastically. Ruki rolled her eyes.
"It's just that..." Lee's mind raced. "Takato missed you so much!"
Ruki's face lit up and Terriermon fell off Lee's shoulder in surprise. "But Lee I thought..." Terriermon began, but the look on Lee's face told him to shut up.
Ruki smiled. "So where's Takato? It's been a long time, I need to catch up on what's going on..."
"Oh no you don't," murmured Lee. Ruki looked at him quizzically. "What?" she asked.
Lee blinked. "Oh um... well... I uh..."
Ruki laughed. "Aw never mind Einstein, I'll catch you later. I'll just find him myself." And before either Terriermon or Lee could protest, she took off.
"Great," said Lee. "Things just get better and better don't they Terriermon?"
"No kidding..." said Terriermon. "Takato's about to get an earful..."
Ruki ran through the streets, knowing exactly where to find Takato. She approached the park, and found her Gogglehead, alone on the swing. "Hey Gogglehead!!"
Takato heard her and blinked. {I've got to be hearing things, because if I didn't know better I'd say that was...} "Ruki?!"
Takato was met by a hug around the neck. "Who else?" she said happily, hugging him. Takato jumped off the swing with her still on him, surprised. "Ruki! I'm so happy to see..." Then he remembered.
Ruki looked up and released him. "What?"
Takato took a moment to stare at her. {She's so beautiful... and she came back... SHE CAME BACK?!!!!} His face dawned realization, and he chose to just hide it from her. "Um... nothing! Oh yes, I found your bear..." He held out the blue bear to her.
Ruki smiled. "Takato..." She took the bear gently in her hands. She smiled. (Good old Renamon must've slipped it to him...) She hugged him again. "I missed you..."
"You came back..." Takato returned her embrace. "I..."
Ruki smiled. "So... about my letter..."
Takato blushed slightly. {Great... now what?} "Ruki... I can't..."
"Can't what?" she looked at him quizzically. "I told you to wait for me and when I came back we'd..."
Takato turned away. "It just can't be that way anymore... I'm sorry Ruki..."
Ruki dropped the bear in shock. "But..."
{I hate hurting her like this... but she has to know... I'm so sorry Ruki...} He turned to face her and took a deep breath. "I'm engaged Ruki... to Juri..." he said slowly. Ruki stared at him, her face blank. Takato sighed. "I'm..."
Ruki smiled. "I get it..." Takato looked surprised, this wasn't how she was supposed to take it. "It's a joke right?" she said, unsure. Takato sighed and tears filled his eyes. Ruki saw this and turned away. "It's not a joke... you really did..."
"I'm sorry Ruki," he said. Ruki didn't turn around.
"You said... you'd wait for me..." she said quietly. He knew she was trying her best to keep herself from crying. Takato felt horrible.
"I know..." he said. "But Ruki, 7 years is a long time... I..."
"So you gave up," she said flatly, turning to face him. Takato saw something. Her eyes were cold and icy, exactly as they were when the two first met. Her expression was the old stern one, and Takato realized that she was locking all the doors they had opened...
"You gave up on me didn't you?" she said, her eyes flashing. Takato backed away. "Yes! I mean-no! Ruki, listen to me... Juri asked... 7 years is a long time, I didn't think you'd come back ever again..."
Ruki's eyes narrowed. "In case you haven't noticed..." she said sternly. "I always keep my promises..."
"Ruki I-!" he started, but Ruki turned around.
"I don't want to hear it Gogglehead," she said, her voice had pure hatred in it. "I come all the way here to see you and maybe even ask you to marry me, and if you love another woman, that's fine by me. Just PEACHY." She began to walk away. Renamon watched from the tress above. 'I was right...' she thought unhappily. 'Takato...'
Ruki walked briskly away. "Ruki! Ruki wait!!!" he cried, and began to run after her. Ruki was a fast walker, and Takato had to practically run to keep up. "Ruki!! Stop! Please!!" Ruki stopped, and stood there for a moment, allowing him to catch up. (How could he do this...)
Takato came up to her. "I'm sorry Ruki, I really am... but I don't want to hurt Juri anymore than she is, and marrying her would be the one thing that could make her happy."
Ruki turned around, and Takato saw actual tears in her eyes. "So you're going to hurt me?" Takato stared in silence. Ruki tried very hard to keep her tears in. "I thought you loved me... I thought wrong..." (I'm alone again... my one shot at happiness... shattered into a million pieces... all over again...) She turned and walked briskly away, and both Takato and Renamon stared after her.
After a moment Renamon jumped down, about as angry as Ruki was. She stood right in front of Takato. "Renamon."
Renamon turned to him. She stared at him a moment. "I hope you're happy..." She walked briskly after Ruki.
Takato sunk to his knees and allowed tears to dribble down his cheeks. "But Ruki... I do... I do love you..." He pounded his fist on the ground, hard. Through his tears he cried after her disappearing figure. "Do you hear that Ruki?! I do love you!!!" He watched her melt away in the blur from his tears. He started to cry, and this time he couldn't stop. {I hurt the only one I really love... and now I'm not sure if I can get her back this time...}
**End of Part 2**
Ouch... Can these two patch things up before the big day? Remember, Takato's got five days, and that lovely tradition where you can't see the bride before the wedding day *smirks*
Terriermon: So there's a chance?!
Of course, and I'm going to throw in a digimon to mess around with... Heehehe... stay tuned for the next part!! ( Author's Note: By the way, I have no idea how long this will be!!!)
Intro: For Takato and Ruki, things go from bad to worse... Ruki's about to find out... and Lee's about to experience heart break... Can things get any worse? Rukato, I suck at intros eh?
{}= Takato's thoughts
()= Ruki's thoughts
[]= Lee's thoughts
''= Everyone else's thoughts
""= Speech
***Part 2***
"You're what?!" Lee spewed out his tea at the news. "No way!"
Takato nodded silently. Lee stared at him, not knowing what to say. "But Ruki?"
Takato turned and stared out the window. He sighed, choking back his tears.
"Takato," Lee inched closer to him. "You haven't...given up...?"
"I'm engaged to Juri," said Takato, looking somewhat sad. "It all happened so fast..."
"But you told her you'd wait for her..." said Lee, perplexed. "Don't you love her?"
"Yes," said Takato. "But what are the odds of her coming back? I have to face the facts, she isn't coming back..."
Lee backed away, staring at him. "You're giving up..." Now that Lee wasn't as concerned for his friend, it dawned on him at what he had just said. Something deep inside of him cracked in two. "Juri..."
"Lee?" asked Takato, staring at his friend strangely. "Lee??" Lee stood, staring out the window. He snapped back. "What?"
"Are you ok?" asked Terriermon. "You were spacing out."
"It's nothing," said Lee, but really he was crushed. [Juri...] "Momentai."
"Ok," said Takato. "Well, I'm leaving, I have work tomorrow."
Lee smiled weakly. "Goodbye."
Takato took his coat and walked out the door. {Something's wrong with Lee...}
Takato trudged toward the park, where he found Juri. "Hey...um... Juri?"
Juri smiled and hugged him. "Yes my sweet?"
Takato smiled. "Listen... maybe we should reconsider..."
Juri's face fell. "Oh...I see..."
"Juri," said Takato. "I don't want to hurt you, and it's true I do love you... but..."
"What?" asked Juri. "What's wrong Takato?" {How can I break it to her, after all she's been through? I guess this is for the best... I must accept that Ruki isn't coming back...} Takato's eyes softened. "Never mind..."
Juri stared silently at him. She hadn't changed much, just the regular puberty changes girls go through. Her hair was still in that half ponytail, but she didn't carry the sock puppet anymore. She wore a green T-shirt and jeans now, and she had gotten Leomon back. 'Something tells me something bad is going to happen,' she thought hesitantly. 'I should reconsider...' She gave it some thought. On the one hand, she loved Takato, but on the other...
'Is this really what I want to do?' she asked herself. 'I feel strange...like I don't belong with him... but I love him, I've loved him since 5th grade... but...' An image of Lee flashed through her mind. 'Lee...'
Taakto waited silently for her to snap out of it. She shook her head. 'I love Takato more than anything... but is that really true? No! It is true! I love Takato!!' she told herself. She stared up at Takato. "I think we're fine, I mean... Ruki isn't here."
Takato's eyes softened and he embraced his fiancée. "I guess you're right... I don't think she's coming back..." He broke away and smiled. "Besides, it's been 7 years. I need to settle down with someone a little closer to home." He kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you Juri...see you in 5 days..." With that he turned and walked home. Juri stared after him, her fingers touching where he had kissed her. She smiled. "Bye Takato..." She sighed ad lowered her hand. "What is wrong with me?" For some reason she didn't feel right with Takato...
* * *
The alarm clock in Takato's room slowly spoke out the seconds. It was 3 seconds to midnight. Takato was asleep in bed, one arm slung over the side of it. His breath was heavy as he slept, the blue bear on his bedside table. He still had it, and for some reason he didn't want to return it.
It was midnight on the dot when something moved in the room. A figure stole into the shadows near the curtains, and slunk down toward Takato's bed. The moonlight illuminated only the middle of the room and the back wall, and cars flashed past outside, their shadows dancing on Takato's wall.
The figure's eyes darted around the room, and spied the bed. With a thin smile it leaped across the room, crossing the moonlight. The shadow played against Takato's sleeping self, causing him to stir. He turned over on his back and sighed. The figure had pressed itself against the shadows in the corner, and breathed a sigh of relief, as his slumber was constant.
The figure crept slowly and silently to the bedside table, next to where Takato lay. It came out into the light and stopped before the table and looked down, and slowly reached out to grab the bear...
Takato woke up with a start, startling the figure. Takato turned to the bedside table. "Who's there?"
There was nothing, just the wind playing with the curtains, his sliding door open a slit. Takato rubbed his eyes and yawned. {It was the wind... stupid door...} He got up wearily and went to shut the door. He was a few inches from the knob when something darted to the table behind him. Takato turned around, but nothing was there.
Unknown to him, the figure clung to the wall in the shadows above his bed, the blue bear clutched in its gloved paws. It pulled out the nameplate, and quietly re-stitched the plate to the bear. Takato shut the door, grumbling, and stood a bit to stare out the window. The figure sneaked toward the sliding door silently, but alas, Takato has sharp hearing. Takato heard a swish and turned around again. Again, nothing.
He walked tentatively back to his bed, searching the room for intruders. He slowly got into bed, closed his eyes, and sighed. {Must be my imagination...} He stretched and allowed himself to be drawn into a deep slumber.
The figure gazed around the room, still clinging to the wall near the door. Then it spied something. Its blue eyes widened and it stifled a gasp. It had seen Takato's engagement ring.
'No...' it thought. It dropped the bear, not knowing it had done so. Quickly, it slithered out of the house and leapt among the trees.
'This cannot be...' it thought. It threw itself into a jump and landed with a firm grip on a tree branch. Now visible in the moonlight, it revealed itself as none other than Renamon.
Renamon stared in shock at Takato's house. 'He's engaged... Ruki will not like this... not at all...' she thought, hastily. She began to run toward the mansion. 'Please say you haven't Takato...'
Renamon was halfway there when she suddenly stopped. 'Wait...' she thought. 'That could've been just an ordinary ring... if I know Gogglehead...' She gave it a little thought. 'I shouldn't alarm Ruki... it would break her heart... if it were true...' She sighed and started running again. 'I just hope I'm not right...'
Takato again awoke with a start. {Now what?} He sighed in annoyance, he was tired and whatever had been in his room had annoyed him. He blinked and waited for his vision to clear. It did, and he spotted the bear in the middle of the room where Renamon had dropped it. He got up. "How'd you get on the floor?"
He picked it up, and felt something on the back. "Hey, what the...?" He turned the bear over and gasped, eyes widening. "Oh my god..."
Takato *heart*
Read the nameplate. Takato stepped back in shock. {She's back...} He didn't know whether to scream or jump for joy. {If she's back... oh no...} His face fell. {How can I break this to her? I should've waited...} He sighed heavily, collapsing back onto his bed. He held the bear over him, tears slowly coming to his eyes. {Matsuki, you may have just made the biggest mistake in your entire life...}
* * *
Lee walked slowly toward the dorm. He had gone for a little walk, just around town to clear his mind. Unknown to Takato was that Lee had somewhat liked Juri too, and right now he was a bit depressed about the whole situation.
"Hey Lee?" asked Terriermon, who was on his usual spot on Lee's head. "What's wrong? You look sad...that and you're making me sad."
Lee smiled. "It's ok Terriermon."
"Momentai right?" said Terriermon, grinning. "Does this have anything to do with Takato's engagement?"
"No," said Lee flatly. "It has nothing to do with that, honestly."
"You're not pulling my leg right?" asked Terriermon. Lee smiled and playfully grabbed one of Terriermon's stubby legs.
"Now I am!" laughed Lee as Terriermon slipped from his position and giggled.
"Lee!" cried Terriermon, giggling. Lee smiled and placed Terriermon back on his head. "I'm fine Terriermon, momentai."
"Lee!!" came a cry. One of Terriermon's ears went up. "Hey Lee..."
"What?" said Lee, stopping.
"Lee!!!" came the cry again. "Geez Einstein wait up would you?!"
Lee arched an eyebrow. "Hey wait a minute... isn't that..."
"Ruki!!" cried Terriermon happily. Lee turned around to see Ruki run up to them. Lee smiled. "Ruki, you came back!"
Ruki stopped and stood before them. "Long time no see." She winked. "Did you miss me?"
"Only about this much!" cried Terriermon, spreading his arms out. Lee laughed.
"Hey Lee," said Ruki. "You look troubled. What's up? By the way, where's Takato? I can't find him anywhere."
Lee smiled. "I'm fine, it's just-
Lee stopped himself. [Oh no... Juri and Takato are engaged... and Ruki doesn't know... I shouldn't tell her...]
Ruki tapped her foot. "Just what? Lee, I'm not getting any younger..."
"You changed a lot," said Terriermon sarcastically. Ruki rolled her eyes.
"It's just that..." Lee's mind raced. "Takato missed you so much!"
Ruki's face lit up and Terriermon fell off Lee's shoulder in surprise. "But Lee I thought..." Terriermon began, but the look on Lee's face told him to shut up.
Ruki smiled. "So where's Takato? It's been a long time, I need to catch up on what's going on..."
"Oh no you don't," murmured Lee. Ruki looked at him quizzically. "What?" she asked.
Lee blinked. "Oh um... well... I uh..."
Ruki laughed. "Aw never mind Einstein, I'll catch you later. I'll just find him myself." And before either Terriermon or Lee could protest, she took off.
"Great," said Lee. "Things just get better and better don't they Terriermon?"
"No kidding..." said Terriermon. "Takato's about to get an earful..."
Ruki ran through the streets, knowing exactly where to find Takato. She approached the park, and found her Gogglehead, alone on the swing. "Hey Gogglehead!!"
Takato heard her and blinked. {I've got to be hearing things, because if I didn't know better I'd say that was...} "Ruki?!"
Takato was met by a hug around the neck. "Who else?" she said happily, hugging him. Takato jumped off the swing with her still on him, surprised. "Ruki! I'm so happy to see..." Then he remembered.
Ruki looked up and released him. "What?"
Takato took a moment to stare at her. {She's so beautiful... and she came back... SHE CAME BACK?!!!!} His face dawned realization, and he chose to just hide it from her. "Um... nothing! Oh yes, I found your bear..." He held out the blue bear to her.
Ruki smiled. "Takato..." She took the bear gently in her hands. She smiled. (Good old Renamon must've slipped it to him...) She hugged him again. "I missed you..."
"You came back..." Takato returned her embrace. "I..."
Ruki smiled. "So... about my letter..."
Takato blushed slightly. {Great... now what?} "Ruki... I can't..."
"Can't what?" she looked at him quizzically. "I told you to wait for me and when I came back we'd..."
Takato turned away. "It just can't be that way anymore... I'm sorry Ruki..."
Ruki dropped the bear in shock. "But..."
{I hate hurting her like this... but she has to know... I'm so sorry Ruki...} He turned to face her and took a deep breath. "I'm engaged Ruki... to Juri..." he said slowly. Ruki stared at him, her face blank. Takato sighed. "I'm..."
Ruki smiled. "I get it..." Takato looked surprised, this wasn't how she was supposed to take it. "It's a joke right?" she said, unsure. Takato sighed and tears filled his eyes. Ruki saw this and turned away. "It's not a joke... you really did..."
"I'm sorry Ruki," he said. Ruki didn't turn around.
"You said... you'd wait for me..." she said quietly. He knew she was trying her best to keep herself from crying. Takato felt horrible.
"I know..." he said. "But Ruki, 7 years is a long time... I..."
"So you gave up," she said flatly, turning to face him. Takato saw something. Her eyes were cold and icy, exactly as they were when the two first met. Her expression was the old stern one, and Takato realized that she was locking all the doors they had opened...
"You gave up on me didn't you?" she said, her eyes flashing. Takato backed away. "Yes! I mean-no! Ruki, listen to me... Juri asked... 7 years is a long time, I didn't think you'd come back ever again..."
Ruki's eyes narrowed. "In case you haven't noticed..." she said sternly. "I always keep my promises..."
"Ruki I-!" he started, but Ruki turned around.
"I don't want to hear it Gogglehead," she said, her voice had pure hatred in it. "I come all the way here to see you and maybe even ask you to marry me, and if you love another woman, that's fine by me. Just PEACHY." She began to walk away. Renamon watched from the tress above. 'I was right...' she thought unhappily. 'Takato...'
Ruki walked briskly away. "Ruki! Ruki wait!!!" he cried, and began to run after her. Ruki was a fast walker, and Takato had to practically run to keep up. "Ruki!! Stop! Please!!" Ruki stopped, and stood there for a moment, allowing him to catch up. (How could he do this...)
Takato came up to her. "I'm sorry Ruki, I really am... but I don't want to hurt Juri anymore than she is, and marrying her would be the one thing that could make her happy."
Ruki turned around, and Takato saw actual tears in her eyes. "So you're going to hurt me?" Takato stared in silence. Ruki tried very hard to keep her tears in. "I thought you loved me... I thought wrong..." (I'm alone again... my one shot at happiness... shattered into a million pieces... all over again...) She turned and walked briskly away, and both Takato and Renamon stared after her.
After a moment Renamon jumped down, about as angry as Ruki was. She stood right in front of Takato. "Renamon."
Renamon turned to him. She stared at him a moment. "I hope you're happy..." She walked briskly after Ruki.
Takato sunk to his knees and allowed tears to dribble down his cheeks. "But Ruki... I do... I do love you..." He pounded his fist on the ground, hard. Through his tears he cried after her disappearing figure. "Do you hear that Ruki?! I do love you!!!" He watched her melt away in the blur from his tears. He started to cry, and this time he couldn't stop. {I hurt the only one I really love... and now I'm not sure if I can get her back this time...}
**End of Part 2**
Ouch... Can these two patch things up before the big day? Remember, Takato's got five days, and that lovely tradition where you can't see the bride before the wedding day *smirks*
Terriermon: So there's a chance?!
Of course, and I'm going to throw in a digimon to mess around with... Heehehe... stay tuned for the next part!! ( Author's Note: By the way, I have no idea how long this will be!!!)