Disclaimer: Gah... Feeling not creative... Um... I do not own Digimon Tamers in any way, shape, or form. Thank you, from Telus. Oh, and I don't own Telus either! ^ ^*

Italics: thinking

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Ch. 9

Aiee, I though I'd never find you! Rika exclaimed irritably. Takato looked at her with a twisted smile, and said nothing. She looked at him in annoyance, Could you stop that, Matsuki? Anyways, I've decided something, Takato rolled his eyes and Rika fixed him with an icy glare. What's wrong with him?

I've decided that, if you admit it was stupid of you to move away, I'll take you back! Rika smiled sweetly and waited for Takato to grovel at her feet.

God, that's just like you, isn't it?! Takato erupted in an explosion of temper. YOu treat people like dirt, then you expect them to apologize and miraculously become friends with you again! Well, I've got news for you, Makino. It doesn't work that way! In fact, I've decided you don't deserve me, because you're an ungrateful bitch!

Rika looked shocked, then recovered quickly, like the hardened fighter she was. Fine! You were never worth my time anyways!

The two gave each other a final glare and started to walk away in opposite directions. Rika stopped after a few steps and turned around, staring at Takato's back as it became blurrier and blurrier through the tears. How could he just walk away from her? How could he just destroy everything, all her happiness, just like that? And yet... That was what I did...

Rika couldn't bear it anymore. All her techniques of alienation and coldness stolen and thrown back in her face. The fact that it was all her fault, her idea even, in the first place made it worse.

Rika dropped to her knees on the black floor', burying her head in her arms, and sobbed hysterically. Oh, God... Oh, God... This is all because of me. I ruined so many people's lives, their happiness, because I was too selfish to accept it when things didn't go my way.

Takato! Please, come back! I'm sorry...

~~~

-I'm sorry... Takato spun around. Did she actually say, I'm sorry? He could see Rika sprawled on the ground, sobbing, and repeating over and over again, I'm sorry... I'm sorry...

Takato raced back to Rika, dropping to the ground' by her side. He shook her gently, Rika, it's okay!

No. No, it's not, came the muffled reply. Rika raised her head and stared at Takato.

Rika, don't do this to me. I love you!

Prove it, Rika said sadly, I know you're just trying to make me feel better.

Takato smiled, If you insist. He pulled Rika up into a sitting position and kissed her.

~~~

Rika went stiff with shock, then relaxed as ecstasy flooded into her body.

Takato broke the kiss and lifted Rika to her feet. C'mon, let's blow this black hole! He grinned cheekily and both Tamers joined hands and ran like bats out of Hell for the horizon, which brightened like a sunrise as they ran. Brightened like their future.

~~~

Rika hunched over, her head in her hands, and Juri's hand rested on her shoulder. Wha? But, how? Where's Takato? Was it all a dream? Rika tried to relax and think things through.

One of her wrists felt cold, and so did her bare legs under her uniform. Rika straightened up and saw that one of her sleeves was rolled up so that the gold charm bracelet on her arm was prominently displayed. She was just so... Happy, regardless of the cold. It was real...

Oh my God, Juri! This is the best day of my life! Rika gave a surprised Juri a quick hug and raced off to school.

Juri watched her go, her arms hanging limply by her sides. What was that?

~~~

The shock of Takato's wet pyjamas against his skin forced his eyes open in shock. Takato sat on the bench, blinking in the golden light of sunrise, his hair frozen to his head.

That wasn't real? Takato remembered the strange weightlessness he had felt, running hand and hand with Rika. Was it all a dream? On his almost frost-bitten hands, he could see the marks left by Rika's fingernails where she had pinched him playfully. Takato sat there for awhile, overcome by an inexplicable urge to by a plane ticket.

End!

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Neko's Note: Well? How was it? ^grins^ I finally finished, I'm sooo proud of myself. Looking back on this story though, all I have to say is... MOOD SWINGS!!! I think I need to plan things better in the future. ^eh heh^ Review and I'll love you forever, except not that way! ^grins^