Hi! Lotus-chan back to write chapter 6! * smile *

I really need to get organized…I keep on thinking new ideas…and get all screwed up…

I've decided to start another Digimon story…This Was My Choice…a total Takari…with zings of other couples. Check it out! J

I'm hoping to reach at least 50 reviews after this chapter…So please review! I had to remove one of my Fushigi Yuugi stories because I didn't get enough…

Pieces of a Puzzle

By Sakura Petals [Lotus-chan]

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Chapter Six- Confrontation

"Rika."

The girl looked at him; her eyes mixed with emotions. At first, Henry only saw disgust. Then, he noticed coldness, confusion, anger, and sadness arriving in her twinkling eyes. Tears actually spilled down her cheeks silently as she had difficulty blinking them back from going on even further. But she stood their staring at him. Her hair was strangled and twisted at the ends…messed up. Henry looked above to see the swarming gray clouds that slowly ate the pale sky. Rika just stood there; her hands wrung down to her black flares. The rain started to pour. The clatter of water clinked against the ground. Then. She bolted out of his sight.

Henry was astounded by her reaction. He chased at the girl running in front of him. After those 7 years, she had kept the same swiftness and agility. Her footsteps created a rhythmic beat against the flowing water beneath her shoes. Her hair, now strung and wet was flying as she ran. Henry frantically tried to keep up; his breaths were in small breaths.

Abruptly, she halted to a familiar place. Henry recognized the plum and cherry blossom that were shielding against the rain several years ago. It hung a haunting beauty and was flawless in sight. There was only one place where these blossoms grew this enchanting, and it was Sakura Fall Park [Familiar, ne?]

She looked at him. Not critically. But she looked, her anger growing deeper than ever. Henry can sense that. It frightened him. What could he have done so wrong? Eyebrows furrowed, she didn't look at all nervous. The gaze was penetrating his mind.

She screamed, animosity reaching into her…hatred betrayed in her eyes. Her hands were clutched in fists, ready to throw a punch at him, "Why won't you just ever let go? You stalker. Get away from me, loser."

Henry was astounded once more, "How can you say that? I love…you…y…Rika."

"No you don't," Rika mused coldly, tears still pouring, "If you loved me then you would've told me seven years ago! But you didn't…" she swallowed; the rain was pouring louder than ever.

"Rika…anata"

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"Why don't you have her yet?" The boss demanded to both Ryuin and Trina as they perched themselves in Ryuin's apartment.

"I—gomen" Ryuin started to say. What can he tell his boss? Is he on Rika's side or the boss'? Does he have to give up the friend he lost years ago again? Or does he have to betray the one who cared for him at such a young age?

"Uncle," Trina spoke confidently, "Clearly, we can't completely cover the tracks yet…but we promise you that we'll get back at her." Perfect. She just needed to break Rika's little heart and keep Henry to herself. Then she can eliminate her…permanently…she'll be safely in Henry's arms by that time.

The boss sighed, but it was cold as usual, "well get to it! I don't have all the time in the world. The only person who knows my plans on black-marketing and having murdering assassins under my wing is Uji Nichi. Ryuin, that was your mission: to kill Mr. Nichi. I'm counting on you for that. Don't dawdle because this mission can save your life from being exposed. You must do it by April 6 where he won't be under the protection of his security guards."

"Yes master," Ryuin murmured softly.

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Ryo starred at the wall in his apartment building across the street from Toudai [Tokyo Univ.] How can she slap him like that? He was only there for her good. What did I do wrong? Iie. Why does Rika hate me so much? Why does she have to go after that blonde idiot? His blue eyes were filled with rage. What did I do? Unless Rika was telling the truth.

"Did I really get drunk?" He thought to himself, "chotto matte kudasai. Did I really force her to kiss me? I-" Flashbacks of Celia's part flew to his mind. He was in the midst of girls and drunken guys as Celia poured more and more beer into his cup.

[Flashback]

"Come on, Ryo, be a man," Hiroki patted Ryo on the back casually, "it's just beer." Ryo never drank alcohol in his life, and he wasn't willing to try it either. However, because of Hiroki and the other guys nagging him, he was interested and hesitant about trying it at the same time.

"Come on Ryo," piped up a girl that Ryo didn't know. However, her shirt red 'Wild', and her hand was holding a cigarette. "You can't be too goody, goody sometimes."

"Yah." Chikoko, a blonde, said, holding her tequila shot, "try it." Ryo took an unopened beer can and gulped it down all at once. The taste seized his senses. It wasn't the greatest thing in the world to drink, but it was tempting his thirst. Soon, his mind weaved in and out of consciousness.

[End Flashback]

"Ohmigod," he wept into his palms.

[Flashback]

"I'm not," he thought dazedly. Rika seemed to be scared of him.

"Ryo, you're drunk," her sharp voice said.

"I'm not," and he pressed his lips against hers; tongue trying to push open her sealed lips.

[End Flashback]

There, you got it, you bastard; Ryo thought to himself, why did I do such a thing…I really didn't want to hurt Rika. Why am I such a loser? She's never going to forgive me for what I've done. Unless…

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"Don't you know where we are?" Rika shouted angrily; her eyebrows furrowed at the cherry trees around them. She hadn't forgotten the two figures kissing under a particular cherry tree on her right. She HAD loved him, but the feeling is lost. Somehow, she can't recover it. All there is a void eating away her happiness, and replacing it with hate. Her hands were placed in a fist so tight that the heat tensed. The storm raged and the thunder pounded against her ears. She had no affection for him…no…not ever…

Henry stared at the familiar trees, "what could I ever do to you?"

She laughed. It wasn't a warm, silvery laugh, but a cold, shrill one. She tilted her head to look at the rain pouring down her face. She glared at him, "You don't even know? This was the reason why I moved so willingly. On the day of when I was about to me, you and Trina were smooching right under this tree." She indicated the tree beside her that was soaked in the rain. I can't believe he didn't even know that he broke my heart.

Henry just looked at his feet. Realization had gotten him at last. He started to make a sound, yet Rika broke him off.

"How could you do this to me?" She hissed; her body was completely wet from the rain, "What have I done to you? I didn't destroy any of your hearts?" I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. Her body shook all over with utmost fury, mystification, and sorrow. Her heart poured out, empty of emotions. Her teeth remained clenched; she wanted to hurt him just as bad as he did to her.

Henry took few steps closer to her. He could see tears pouring out of her eyes like a stream. Suddenly, she shoved a blow right at his face with such force it was nearly impossible to dodge. But Henry was trained. She threw another blow…it seemed so familiar from what she did 7 years ago.

[Flashback]

"Ready." Henry said, holding his fists ready.

"What do you think," she laughed sarcastically. He neared her, throwing a quick punch at her. She blocked it with two of her arms, crossed in an X formation, as he pounded against her skin. She jumped, and quickly swung a kick from underneath. Henry leapt this time.

"Not bad," Henry said, heaving another punch on the right.

"You too," Her punches, unlike his, were fast and accurate, with a forceful beat. Every time she aimed, he ducked or dodged. She kept on throwing punches and kicks right and left. He was getting faint from this. She was still keeping up her agility.  However, Henry managed to aim one right at her side. She stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Rika, Rika," he shook her rapidly. Oh god, what did I do? She better not end up in the hospital. He thought. Without any notice, he felt a jab at his arm.

"Gotcha." She grinned with success.

[End Flashback]

Just like before, Henry thought, as she kept on throwing punches and kicks, unaware of that he was just defending in the same spot every time. Remember, she's just venting her anger on him while he lifted his head to the left to avoid her fists. Her eyes were still narrowed and full of revulsion. She threw a punch, and felt Henry grasp her arm.

"Let go of me," she struggled under his grip. "You bastard. Get away from me." She snarled with abhorrence, pulling her arm desperately away from his hand. But Henry was just as strong as she, perhaps, even stronger. His grip was firm as he forced her to look at him.

"Rika, look," Henry explained, "you need to know the whole story."

"I know better than you think," she spat.

"Rika, Trina forced me to love her. That kiss." He paused, "she forced me into that too."

"You could've knocked the lights out of her. You could've just break it up." she turned her head to avoid looking into his hazel-gray eyes. Is he telling the truth?

"You know Trina is just as strong as I, Rika. Once you've gone, I could only turn to her. I had no other choice." Rika looked at him, and Henry could feel that she was starting to understand know.

"No," she murmured, "you lie. It can't be possible. If you've known your heart's decision then you've just broke up with her, for good. But obviously you didn't care about me. You didn't. You wouldn't know what I would think, would you?" Why would I think he'll care about me? I'm such an idiot. He was gone. He was never mine anyways.

"I want to make it up to you to ask you to the dance by the Tokyo Harbor." Henry said with a hint of plea in his voice.

"This can't be true," Rika said, tears welled up in her eyes again, "You don't love me. You don't care about me. If you did, Trina wouldn't be tagging around with you anymore. Forget that. Go back to Trina. You'll be a lot happier with her anyways. YOU DON'T LOVE ME!" She shrieked, water dripping down her bare shoulders.

Henry couldn't say anything. He just slammed his lips onto hers, completely aware of what he was doing. All I need is you.

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End of Chapter 6!

Please review! Expect chapter 7 sometime this week.

Also check out another ficcie of mine…This Was My Choice- perfect for all you Takari lovers. It's only gonna be approx, 6 chapters long or maybe 7…and in Ancient Chinese setting. I'm hoping for more reviews on that story. I know I only written the prologue so far…

* Lotus *