Janyuu is the name of Jen's father.
Mie Matsuda is the name of Takato's mother.
Takehiro Matsuda is the name of Takato's father.
Also Sen "Abaddon" Kimatori is the full complete name of the blond haired, green and blue eyed guy that I made up. Details on him will be forth coming latter on in the story.
Ruksashas: Shape changing tricksters that are much like the Kitsune with a notable difference. In almost every legend that they are featured in they are evil, manipulative and powerful creatures. They have a rivalry with foxes which is well recorded in Japanese, Indian and Chinese legend.
Their rivalry stems from the fact that they are very similar to each other. Thus they compete for the same resources, mortals, etc. Ruksashas have a rather nasty tendency of killing their mortal playthings or prey rather than simply draining them of their energy or life force like the kitsune but despite this they are physically more powerful and arguably more 'free' to pursue different avenues. They have no notable codes of honour, no progenitor that enforces order and organization and they have better shape changing ability but lack the kitsune's extensive powers in illusions.
In their natural form they look like six-foot tall grand looking tigers that stand like a human and have fully articulated hands but can change themselves to look like something else. They have a fondness for the trappings of wealth, power and finer things of life. Which is why Ruksasha in my story goes around in a suit and such. There is no website on the Internet that are specifically devoted to them.
The lyrics of the song do not belong to me.
Elevation
Artist: U2
I can't stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the world
Say that you'll never never never never need it
One headline why believe it?
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Artist: Tears for Fears
'They would all pay for this, every single one of them shall suffer through the torture I've been through,' an embittered voice echoed through the mind's eyes of a tormented digimon. Oh yes he had great plans for revenge from which they would all be begging for mercy in the end. They would all suffer under the cruel and unusual, no don't make him even say it, "Princess Pretty Pants" treatment. The words were like nails raking down a blackboard and set his nerves on edge. Nothing in the world was as terrifying as a little sister hell bent on dressing you up in a pink frilly dress.
Terriermon had managed to hide in Jen's parents' bedroom away from Shiuchon's grasp. He willed himself to remain perfectly still on top of the closet and continued his rant in his head. To say none the least Terriermon was slightly unhinged by his traumatic experience with Nurse Shiuchon's treatment. Oh not to worry he's always gone a bit off the deep end when the aftermath of the torture ended, it was usually just a matter of time before Terriermon would forget everything about the event that forced him in the closet and come out. Usually.
'I'll make every single one of them wear pink frilly dresses, especially Lopmon, and then I will torture Jen by manacling him to a wall and...' Terriermon stopped his ranting and froze. The door to Jen's parents' bedroom was being opened and the muffled sound of footsteps could be heard.
Janyuu walked into his bedroom tired. Outside in the hallway Shiuchon and Lopmon walked around the apartment looking for the ever-elusive Terriermon to 'treat' him of his 'potty mouth' syndrome. Janyuu looked at his youngest daughter's frantic movements as she searched the living room with her partner.
"Terriermon!" Shiuchon called out. Terriermon heard the call and shuddered, not sure whether the person that had entered the bedroom was Shiuchon or not. Janyuu headed towards the closet to put away his jacket completely oblivious that Terriermon was preparing to bolt out of the closet as soon as it opened.
'Another strange day.... Things never get dull around here,' Janyuu thought to himself as he opened the closet door. Faster the proverbial locomotive Terriermon charged out of the closet knocking Janyuu on his back. Terriermon soon realized his mistake but not after Shiuchon realized where he was hiding.
"Terriermon come back here!" Shiuchon said as she chased after Terriermon.
"Sorry I thought you were someone else!" Terriermon shouted out his apology to the stunned Janyuu who got up.
"Yes... things never get dull around here," Janyuu commented as he got up.
Terriermon down the hall like a maniac avoiding the eager Shiuchon and revenge bent Lopmon. He charged into Jen's room and landed on the head of a surprised Jen who was cornered by Kenta and Hirokazu.
"JEN! SAVE ME!" Terriermon screamed. He balanced himself on Jen's head and remained there shuddering. The bandages that hung loosely on Terriermon's body blinded Jen and to further compound matters Shiuchon came into the room and grasped the loose bandages. This cause Terriermon to grip onto Jen's head even tighter and with one mighty pull Shiuchon pulled downwards on the bandage. Jen couldn't see a thing, tripped over his feet and crashed into Hirokazu who then crashed into Kenta. The entire result was that Terriermon, Kenta, Hirokazu and Jen culminated into a pile of arms and legs.
Marine Angemon awoke before Kenta hit the ground and flew out of Kenta's oversized custom pocket.
"Penpa!" Marine Angemon chirped. Marine Angemon hovered over the pile of struggling boys, unsure what to do.
"Shiuchon!" Jen shouted as he struggled to get Hirokazu's hand away from his face. He hated being crowded in like this and wondered whether he had claustrophobia of some sort. Then again no one likes having three different bodies crushing or squeezing yours under a pile. Shiuchon could only watch heedlessly trying to contain her laughter at the sight of her older brother and that of his friends tangled up. Lopmon looked on with some amusement as well while Marine Angemon looked confused.
"What's going on here?" Janyuu said as he approached the room and saw pile up boys.
"Geddoffa me!" Hirokazu mumbled as he tried to get Kenta's foot away from his mouth.
Jen's cellular phone began to ring. Jen managed to reach it and to turn it on while Kenta and Hirokazu go up. Lying on the ground Jen answered the phone.
"Ouch... Lee residence, Jen speaking," Jen managed to groan out as he got off the ground with Terriermon still on his head.
"I'll have my revenge! This I swear! I will make sure each and every one of you will suffer the wrath of Terriermon and horrors of the "Princess Pretty Pants" Treatment! I'll make sure its..." Terriermon kept on ranting out loud, he didn't sound very sane. This mildly disturbed Kenta, Hirokazu and Marine Angemon but the Li family simply ignored Terriermon's claims.
"Ummm... Does Terriermon always do that?" Kenta asked Shiuchon who was busy watching Jen talk on the phone.
"Huh... well after I play with him, he goes off and says funny things," Shiuchon answered.
"Terriermon can be quiet a bit! The other side can hear you!" Jen said and used his free hand to try and cover Terriermon's mouth.
"You're against me! You're all against me! Because I am justice! I am the light of my big ass gatling gun I get when I'm Gargomon! I shall defeat all when Jen sees my side of it! Then I shall proceed to take every single female on this planet except that harpy Shiuchon as my concubine and..." Terriermon continued in almost deranged evil anime overlord type voice.
"What's a concubine?" Shiuchon asked innocently to her father. Janyuu frowned and reached over to Terriermon.
"Something you never need to know," Janyuu answered as he grabbed Terriermon and tried to pull him off Jen's head.
"Ouch! Let go Terriermon! I'm talking to someone!" Jen said. Terriermon increased his grip on Jen's head refusing to let. Jen almost dropped his cellular phone but managed to keep it in his hand.
"NO! NEVER! THIS IS MY CITADEL OF SAFETY! THIS IS MY HUMBLE ABODE WHERE I SHALL PLAN TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!" Terriermon shouted approaching the zenith of ranting.
"I think we need you to calm down," Janyuu gritted his teeth as he removed Terriermon from Jen's head.
"AH!!!! I SHALT SLAYETH THEE EVIL FATHER OF THIS MONSTROUS BROOD! FOR I AM STRONGER THAN SIEGFRIED! THY EVIL GRASP IS NAY A PLACE OF VIRGIN GOOD!" Terriermon continued.
"Okay, who's been letting him read Hamlet again?" Janyuu asked in annoyance. He wrapped his hand around Terriermon's mouth to silence him. Terriermon continued ranting though it now muffled. Kenta, Hirokazu and Marine Angemon couldn't help but do anime sweats drop. It was just too strange.
"Finally," Jen muttered and turned his attention to the phone.
"What's going on over there?" Ryou asked into the phone's receiver. He managed to catch something about taking over the world, concubines, Siegfried and something that sounded straight out of a Shakespearean play.
"Ryou? Is that you?" Jen asked. Ryou had called him; this was good for the entire group.
"Yeah it's me! I'm here to help find Ruki with you guys;" Ryou answered though he was wondering what was going on, on the other side of the phone.
Everyone immediately crowded Jen in the moment Ryou's name was mentioned out loud.
"Wow! You mean its Ryou? Can we talk to him?" Kenta asked.
Shiuchon blushed at the mention of Ryou's name and began to look down at the floor idly making a circle with her toe. Hirokazu noticed the uncharacteristic reaction of Shiuchon and so did Jen who frowned. Lopmon looked somewhat surprised at his Tamer's reaction.
"Looks like we can add your little sister to the Ryou Akiyama fan club Jen," Hirokazu said in a slightly playful voice. Janyuu looked like the over protective father act down to a tee and had a slightly dark look on his face.
"She's not dating anyone until she turns eighteen," Janyuu muttered. Shiuchon looked up at her father in annoyance.
Jen tried to ignore the conversation going on in his room. It was rather overcrowded with five humans and three digimon. His room wasn't meant for any more than three people and so Jen felt rather claustrophobic.
'I definitely have a problem with enclose spaces... funny... Why didn't it affect me so badly in the Digital world or anywhere else? Why now?' Jen thought to himself.
"That's great! Where are you?" Jen asked into the phone receiver.
"That's not fair!" Shiuchon said.
"No arguing about it young lady," Janyuu answered in a tone that brooked no argument. Shiuchon could only pout.
"I'm at Ruki's house. Renamon explained everything to me," Ryou answered.
"Then why do you let Jen like Ruki?" Shiuchon asked. Jen choked at Shiuchon casual announcement.
'Thanks a lot Shiuchon! In front of Hirokazu, Kenta and dad no less," Jen thought embarrassed.
"I'll meet you there!" Jen shouted into the phone and hung up. He tried to make a quick exit out of his room but due to the number people in his room he failed to get out quickly enough. Luckily no one was moving around the room.
"Jen likes Ruki?!" Hirokazu asked in shock. He stared at Jen who was trying desperately not to blush. Kenta looked no less than shocked that Hirokazu.
"It's not what you think!" Jen managed to get out of his room. Janyuu looked surprised at the news as well. Terriermon smirked with triumph though he was still being gagged by Janyuu's hand. Squirming out of Janyuu's grasp, Terriermon chased after Jen who was all ready at the door with his shoes on.
"Hey just a second Jen! I was just going to explain to them how you like leather... in various applications!" Terriermon announced in a deranged triumphant voice. Jen opened the door to get out but stopped with eyes wide open at the implications of Terriermon's tall tale. Deciding not to risk Terriermon's frayed nerves and vows of revenge; Jen grabbed Terriermon and then ran out the door.
"I'll be back before dinner dad!" Jen shouted as he ran out the door and towards the stairs down. He planned to head towards the Makino estate immediately to meet Ryou.
*****
Ryou managed to hear Shiuchon's announcement over the phone and blinked.
'Jen likes Ruki?' Ryou thought to himself as his brain filed away the piece of information. Something inside of Ryou bristled with annoyance. It was like a spark as it tried to light something. Ryou wrestled with his uncertainty and rising temperature but remained relatively calm. He could hear the dial tone and slowly put the phone on the receiver.
"So what's Jen going to do?" Renamon asked as she leaned against a wall. She watched Ryou carefully and noticed something wrong with the boy. It looked like he was trying not to look upset about something but it was so faint that Renamon was unsure.
"He said he's coming over," Ryou said smoothly. He headed towards the garden where Monodramon was busy lazing in the sun and staring at the clouds. Renamon followed after Ryou and looked at the sky herself.
White clouds floated idly in the sky like larks congregating closer together. They were fluffy white and sunset was approaching thus tingeing the clouds with a steadily deepening red color. It was rather beautiful and Renamon remembered that Ruki loved these types of days. There was nothing more enjoyable in Renamon's mind than spending a quiet sunset together and looking at the sun as it dipped downwards to let darkness cover the scope of the city.
'Great white clouds gathering
Azure skies of endless heaven
The lost one murmurs'
Renamon composed a simply haiku in her head. She then realized she had too many syllables in the haiku but mentally shrugged. It seemed appropriate for the moment and she looked down to see Ryou standing over the garden's pond to look at the koi pond fish. Monodramon disrupted the silence.
"I'm bored..." Monodramon said as he lay on his back.
"Weird... you weren't complaining for the last hour," Ryou said suspiciously. Renamon couldn't help but smirk in a bit to herself.
"Renamon told me to stare at the sky and pick out shapes in the clouds to entertain myself... It gets kind of boring after awhile... Though I was surprised when I found a cloud that was shaped like a game boy," Monodramon idly announced. Ryou sighed at the mention of the annoying piece of electronic gaming equipment again though he gave Renamon a thankful look. Renamon easily read it and nodded. Ryou noticed a part of the wall in the garden that was damaged; he looked at it and saw that some force damaged some of the stones crowning mortar. He wondered what could have done the damage.
Hata Seiko entered the hallway and saw the three idly individuals in deep thought. She was unsure whether to interrupt the two but luckily it wasn't necessary for the old woman to interrupt their thoughts. Rumiko, Ruki's mother, interrupted the silence for everyone as she charged past the ancient gates of the Makino household.
"I'm home!" Rumiko shouted as she ran into the house, down the hallway and dropped off some bags in Ruki's room. She then ran down the hallway again towards the gates.
"Bye! Don't expect me home for dinner! I'm going to look for Ruki!" Rumiko shouted as she ran out the gate and into the neighbourhood. Seiko looked shocked at her daughter's uncharacteristic show of complete utter disregard towards the fact there was guests in the house.
"Ah... well... Will you be staying for dinner Mr. Akiyama? It looks like there won't be too many people here," Seiko asked politely. Ryou stared at where Rumiko had just charged out from and blinked.
"Uh... Sure, just make sure there's enough for Monodramon or he'll eat the table as well," Ryou said politely.
"I'll get dinner ready then;" Seiko said and walked to the kitchen.
"Do you need any help?" Ryou asked.
"No. You just relax there, you'll need your mind on finding that granddaughter of mine," Seiko answered. She disappeared into the kitchen to start to dinner.
"Is... Ruki's mom always like that?" Ryou asked Renamon. He had never seen such frantic and maniacal energy since he faced a Sukamon on a sugar high.
"She's usually at a photo shoot at this time of day... but since Ruki's disappeared she's cut her modeling hours drastically and spent the time wandering around the city looking for Ruki... I won't be joining you for dinner, I'm going after Ruki's mother and make sure nothing happens," Renamon answered and got up. With barely any effort she fazed out of existence and Ryou widened his eyes in surprise.
"No matter how many times she does that I'll never get used to it," Ryou muttered. Monodramon got and began to stretch out his legs. Ryou found that he was thinking too hard about the mysterious coincidence between the dream and Ruki's disappearance. The normally cool look that Ruki usually gave in life was replaced with something akin to panic in the dream. What could of possible spook the Digimon Queen to that point? Wide purple eyes that could usually freeze the earth ten times over were terrified by something it saw. Perhaps what Ruki saw shook the very beliefs that Ruki held close? Resourcefulness? That wasn't it. Power? That wasn't it either. Whatever it was, Ruki was not willing to part with it. It had grown to the point that Ruki now regarded that part of her as a limb. A limb she was less than willing to cut off.
Ryou frowned and lay on his back. The smell of a traditional Japanese dinner wafted in the air causing Monodramon to growl impatiently for the food to be finished cooking. Ryou ignored it, in fact he was completely unaware of the smell or Monodramon's grumbling.
'Cold purple eyes that hide from the world. A smile to melt the hardest of hearts and is rarer than a diamond. A drive to go forth without prompting. Beautiful... Hey name a girl who'll jump off a height of nearly a thousand feet and almost land right into a blob that can delete a digital God but managed to survive by digivolving to the mega level in time?' Ryou idly listed off in his head. There was definitely something appealing about Ruki that he couldn't really put down. A fascination with her complete unpredictability and something else that almost tangible about her character. It felt good to be around her and at that Ryou let out a short laugh.
'Perhaps I should start asking Ruki's mother for her daughter's hand in marriage if I keep thinking like this,' Ryou thought. Ryou smiled and wondered how many broken bones he would get if Ruki ever found out?
"What's so funny Ryou?" Monodramon asked. He curious at the silence that Ryou showed and wanted to know what his Tamer was thinking.
"Tell me Monodramon... What do you think of Renamon?" Ryou asked.
"Renamon? ... Well she's one 'foxy' mon, if you pardon the pun," Monodramon said in a drole voice.
"Hmm... Perhaps it's just a crush then..." Ryou said to himself quietly, however Monodramon overheard despite the softness of Ryou's voice. Ryou completely forgot about Monodramon's sensitive hearing and Monodramon pounced on the gaff to pursue the subject.
"So you have a crush eh? Who is it?" Monodramon asked in a sly voice. Ryou didn't look surprised and got up from his position.
"None of your business."
"Hey I told you what I think of Renamon."
"Something about crushes got brought up in the conversation I had with Jen." It was a half-truth but it wasn't an outright lie.
"Really? So who does Jen like?"
"Well until Jen says out right himself, it seems that everyone at his place thinks he has a crush on Ruki." Ryou struggled to put into words how he felt about the entire thing. Jen was a guy, he had his right to have crushes but for some reason it bothered Ryou. He felt mildly possessive of Ruki and he was quite sure that if Ruki ever found out about that, she would have no qualms sending him to the hospital.
"Him... and Ruki?" Monodramon scowled at that. Ryou wondered what could have possibly upset his partner.
"What's with you?"
"I don't think violence and peace mix well together. I much prefer it if it was just you and Ruki..."
Ryou laughed at Monodramon's answer. Even Monodramon agreed that he would go well with Ruki.
"That way I have a chance to score with Renamon! WHOOHOO!" Monodramon finished. He pumped his short arms into the air energetically. The sight of Monodramon making a 'macho' yet completely silly sight was rather entertaining if it wasn't anyone else watching but Ryou.
Ryou stopped laughing and sighed.
'I knew there was a catch... I wonder how Ruki's doing?' Ryou thought to himself. Ryou idly looked over the business card that Ruksasha gave him.
*****
To properly answer Ryou's question, the answer would be not well. You see Ruki was currently venting her rage in a slightly unbalanced way due to her awakened kitsune nature. There was hell on earth currently at Daikan temple and Sen wanted to nowhere near her but he was forced to stay on. He wanted to tell her something vital but it was impossible to reach out to her.
"Ruki... Now calm down, this is just a regular part of the entire ordeal okay? You should get used to it," Sen said as he tried to calm Ruki down. Kaho threw the bag of ice in her hand to Sen. Sen took the ice while it was still in the air got up and applied to his swelling check.
"GET USED TO IT?" Ruki shouted in anger. She had an urge to go to the nearest stream and swim in it.
"Look it's just your mortal body and mind trying to make out what your more... er... divine side of your soul is trying achieve or want," Sen continued. The look of rage on Ruki's face was amazing. She was rolling in the aura of extreme agitation and anger that Sen wanted to run away from. She was not able to control her kitsune fascination powers and it was badly effecting him and Kaho.
"Calm down Ruki. You are much stronger than this. Hold it back," Kaho managed to say with clear concrete authority and set down the tray of food for Ruki. Ruki was a maelstrom of uncontrolled emotions that seemed suspiciously repressed. Just how long did Ruki let her emotions simmer? In any case Kaho felt very uncomfortable, the air itself seemed charged with pulsing energy and emotions.
Ruki did not want to calm down. She did not want to hold back. Even if she had the ability to she doubted highly that she could drive her rage, her want, her everything back down into the depths of apathy within her forever. No, she needed to let them out and exposed. Two parts of her mind raged in a battle for control. Ruki wanted to hurt herself, she wanted to berate herself for all the tears shed in her sickening weakness, all the empty feelings of regret she had, she wanted to kill the all to hot emotions and passion in her veins right at this moment. Another part wanted her to laugh; to love and cherish all that had happened, to embrace what had become and what will become. Isn't this what she had always longed for? To fulfill the emptiness, the unfulfilled part of her soul?
The sky was reddening with expecting sun set and Ruki felt more and more frantic. She felt pain expand from her right shoulder where she had been bitten. It was so encompassing that Ruki could barely stand it. Sen carefully approached Ruki in a deliberately slow manner.
"Ruki... Listen to me... The only person that can drag you out of this is you only. And that's only if you want to make yourself stronger in the end. This is what you always wanted isn't it? Don't worry I've been through it as well. You just need to listen," Sen asked calmly. He began to sweat, Ruki's aura was overpowering and the look on her face was not very comforting. He applied judicious amounts of his own calming powers to give Ruki a chance to gather her mind.
"I don't need to listen and I don't need anyone else," Ruki concluded coldly. Ruki sallied forth her will and drove the feelings under a weak control. Ruki chose a middle path and avoided deciding. The pain in her right shoulder began to fade and Ruki sat down to rest a moment.
"I hate to use trite sayings but 'no one is an island' Ruki," Sen said hoping that his words would reach her.
"I know that 'no one is an island' Sen... But my island is an inhospitable fortress that keeps everything out and away," Ruki charged back. She glared at Sen who remained relatively calm. Sen face was completely unemotional.
".... You're not an inhospitable fortress that keeps everything out Ruki. You're more like a prison that won't let anything out and let's everything in," Sen calmly stated. Kaho had set the tray of food down for Ruki and stood between the two quarrelling children. Kaho felt uncomfortable and looked between the two hardened faces. How strange the two looked, they looked nothing like the young children they should be and in the air was the charge of many confusing auras. In fact more than the two auras that Ruki and Sen were exhibiting and it was far more powerful than Kaho expected.
"Eat Ruki, you need your strength... A bath will be drawn for you... As for you Sen I think it is best that you get out of here," Kaho pointed out. The auras were coming closer to the temple.
"I am not Sen any more it's Abaddon!" Sen stated annoyed at Kaho and then he stopped. He felt in the distance eight auras of differing strengths. Sen looked behind him in the general direction of the auras and realized his time was up and could stay no longer near Ruki. Kaho narrowed her eyes in the direction of the auras and wondered what they were.
Ruki ignored Sen and Kaho at that moment and sat down to eat her dinner. She didn't care what Sen said and that was a fact. Nothing would change about her and she would forge on ahead by herself as she had always done.
"Ruki... You're in danger, I want to warn you that the enemies of your father and are now yours as well. Please tell me you're listening at the very least!" Sen said. He was annoyed at her stubbornness and felt his exasperation reach new heights. Ruki's ascension, the uncooperativeness of the Tamers and now eight unknown spirits were approaching added problems to his plan and deal he made with his client. Things were not going according to plan, in fact his plan was now shot to pieces, and now there was the entire issue of her newfound powers. She was going to attract a lot of unnecessary attention and worse of all he suspected that his client knew this was going to happen and gave him a deceptive contract to carry out. No matter, the contract would be fulfilled and he would be paid.
"I'm listening but I don't care," Ruki said tersely.
"I will see you latter then," Sen said angrily and faded out of existence much to Ruki's surprise. She spat out the soup in her mouth and choked at what Sen did. The ice simply dropped to the ground, as there was nothing to hold it up any more.
"How did he do that?" Ruki asked as she coughed. Kaho didn't seem to be paying attention and stared out into the darkening forest. It was then that Ruki felt something that set her body on edge, something was coming and she wasn't sure if she liked it or not. It was a distinct feeling of content and happiness that she only felt when she hung around Ryou and Sen, the sickeningly warm and fuzzy feeling that she hated because it made her weak and she couldn't tolerate it. Sen was bearable because he diluted his aura but Ryou had no such ability and it annoyed her to no end. Ruki stopped eating and tried to see what was out in the forest that was causing to her feel this way. Her urges rushed forward demanding that she investigate the thing and for once Ruki completely agreed. She got up from her seat and left her food alone. Her urges clouded over the strangeness of Sen's disappearance as if it was normal happenstance and people disappeared into thin air all the time, take for example Renamon. Ruki was more than used to her partner disappearing off somewhere and into thin air.
"I'm going to see what's out there," Ruki stated and Kaho looked rather forbidding.
"I won't allow you to," Kaho said. Ruki did a double take and stared at Kaho as if she had truly gone insane. Kaho had never in the time that Ruki known her, ever forbid Ruki from doing anything. Kaho never forbade anything and only smiled in an off way that tells you that she doesn't like it. It was never a verbal command but always a subtle physical warning of danger.
"What?"
"I said I wouldn't allow you to... Sen is right, you are in danger. I think it would be best if you go home Ruki," Kaho stated. Ruki stared at Kaho with wide eyes and then unleashed a controlled but unpredictable wrath on Kaho. The anger of her words came mostly from her state of mind and sheer fickleness of her urges. They seemed to encourage extremeness and such for the hell of it.
"Is that so? Well then I will have to leave this temple and never come back. Is that what you want?" Ruki said in a sarcastic and cold voice. Kaho sighed and looked at Ruki in a calm even look. It reminded Ruki all too much of her grandmother's ever patient and ever-enduring face.
"You are as stubborn as my children are. I don't say this because I want to spite you Ruki; I say this because it is true."
Ruki scowled and walked into the temporary bedroom she had been using when she arrived at the temple. She walked over and picked up her backpack, then walked out the room.
"If I don't stay anywhere near the temple grounds, you no longer have any authority over me," Ruki stated testily. The urge, the demand to go into the forest was beginning to wear away at Ruki's control. Kaho paled at her words realizing what Ruki was going to do.
"It's not safe for you to rough it out there in the forest. There are dangerous beings out there, I can tell that you can feel their presence."
"Well tough for them and you. I'm more than prepared and ready to sleep under the stars! Don't go off and tell me what I can and can't do!"
With that Ruki walked away from the temple grounds and towards the forest. Kaho looked stricken and rushed into the temple to get something. Ruki paid no attention to Kaho's frantic actions and walked towards the gates of the temple haughtily. Ruki was at the gates when Kaho came bursting out the temple with a simple paper charm in her hands.
"Ruki wait!" Kaho shouted. She ran towards the retreating form of Ruki who was at the stairs. Ruki stopped and glared at Kaho as she ran towards Ruki. In Kaho's hand was an ancient looking piece of paper with strange Chinese ideograms that Ruki couldn't read. It's black ink looked fresh though it was on such an ancient piece of paper that Ruki wondered why it didn't just disintegrate?
"What?" Ruki snapped annoyed. What was with Kaho? The old woman that was never this worried or this out of it unless something bad was going to happen. Ruki's conscience scolded her for causing such unnecessary grief for the old woman. Kaho for the first time in Ruki's memory looked genuinely worried about something and that made Ruki wonder what Sen and Kaho was talking about. What enemy were they talking about?
"I want you to take this if you are going to leave the safety of the temple and you are welcomed to come back here any time," Kaho said rapidly and forcefully. Ruki looked at the piece of paper and took it into her hands. The Chinese characters were ancient and out of date, Ruki was quite sure that the character used hadn't been used in Japan for the last century.
"What is this?" Ruki asked. The paper crackled with some sort of power and that made Ruki curious. It felt warm to touch and worn. Her sensitive touch could feel the individuals grooves of many fingers, scratches and other indentation that would normally be insensible to human hands.
"A protection charm... Keep it and don't lose it."
"I don't need this little trinket of yours."
Kaho looked angry and set her jaw. The fascination effect that a kitsune possessed and exuded had a rather annoying tendency of amplifying extreme emotions such as anger and Kaho made a valiant effort to curb her temper. Ruki looked even more surprised by the angry look on Kaho's face and wondered what was going on? Nothing in the last past four year that Ruki known Kaho had ever riled her up to the point of anger. Ruki never knew that it was because she couldn't control how she radiated aura.
"You just don't get it do you Ruki? You are now an ascending kitsune! Don't you know what this means? It means you are about to go beyond what any mortal is supposed to be! You can't control any of your abilities. For example your aura is amplifying my emotions and inciting your urges but you don't know how to quiet them or get them under your control. You know why? Because you are inexperienced and charging off into the woods is not the best way to solve your problems," Kaho explained. She schooled her voice into a calmer tone but Ruki's aura was inciting anger and it was hard to keep down but Kaho had more than sixty strange years of life experience under her belt and that what helped her curb back the tide.
Ruki was more than mildly confused and wondered whether Kaho was correct. The world was crazy enough to have a completely alternate world like the Digital worlds so why not throw in some gods, spirits, ghosts and such? Sen disappeared into thin air, Ruki could feel power pulsing through the air and she quite frankly felt she could take on a digimon without Renamon's help as crazy as it sounded. Life was crazy enough to make the impossible seem possible. Ruki took the charm and placed it in her leather cardholder.
"Satisfied?" Ruki said in a testy voice. Ruki had to admit though seeing the indomitable Kaho fluster in anger was quite entertaining but she killed all the urges that wanted to test the limits of Kaho's patience.
"YES!" Kaho shouted. Ruki could only smirk and walk down the steep stairs in a decidedly cool and slow descent. The way she carried herself reeked with arrogance and over-confidence.
"You don't need to shout you know? That's reserved for the young as you said once to me," Ruki said without turning around or missing a step. It felt all so good making Kaho eat her own words. Ruki's statement made Kaho sputter with indignation and upon realizing the irony of the words Kaho could only scowl.
*****
Juri looked at her photo of the journey that she had with the entire Tamer's team. It was a photo of the first arrival in the digital world almost a year ago. There Juri sat right beside Ruki; the cool one, the strong one, the beautiful one. Juri stared at the photo and sighed with wistfulness. A year of hard work trying to live her life like a normal person; a year trying to piece together her sanity; a year trying to ignore the feelings she had and the confusion. Juri turned on to the radio and immediately heard words from an english song she could scarcely understand the title but it had a rather catchy tune she had to admit. She looked at the photo and listened to the song.
High, higher than the sun
You shoot me from a gun
I need you to elevate me here
As corner of your lips
Is the orbit of your hips
Eclipse, you elevate my soul
Juri turned away from the picture and picked up a picture of her and Takato at their end of the year graduation photo for grade 5. Ms. Asaji looked so relieved and worn out when she finally gave everyone in the class their little diploma card confirming their graduation of grade 5 and sent them packing to grade 6. Ms. Asaji verbally pitied the grade 6 teacher Mr. Mori who was going to 'inherit' her class.
I've lost all self-control
Been living like a mole
Now going down, excavation
I and I in the sky
You make me feel like I can fly
So high, elevation
Juri was quite sure that Ms. Asaji was joking. The class wasn't all that bad... if you could ignore the huge amount of trouble Takato went through for doodling in class. Or the number of times Hirokazu with Kenta's reluctant help pulled off numerous pranks on the girls in the changing rooms. Or the number of times she played with her sock puppet in class because she got bored or nervous and pretty much scared everyone out of their wits. Or the times Terriermon raided the cafeteria with Guilmon, Culumon and Impmon. Oh yes and they mustn't ever forget the fact that they all fought against D-reaper and thus saved the world from utter annihilation.
A star lit up like a cigar
Strung out like a guitar
Maybe you could educate my mind
Explain all these controls
I can't sing but I've got soul
The goal is elevation
In any case Ms. Asaji was kind enough to take a picture of Juri and Takato standing together in the classroom with their diplomas. Smiles that hid the trauma, the terror and sadness they both felt. Their adventure in the digital world had changed them so much. Juri wondered if she could still the glimpses or flickers of her old self anywhere within her. Takato had changed in some ways that made Juri wonder if anyone else but herself noticed. It was something mysterious and hidden away that Juri couldn't reach it. Takato would only smile and laugh off Juri's concern.
A mole, Living in a hole
Digging up my soul
Going down, excavation
I and I in the sky
You make me feel like I can fly
So high, elevation
Juri looked harder at the photo and stared at Takato's easy smile. The only thing that seemed to betray the illusion was the look in his eyes. An ever present look of patience and rarely possessed sense of consciousness of everything that had happened. How different they looked from Ruki's eyes. Ruki's eyes seemed so hard and yet Juri could see beneath it something hurt and lost within the depths of her soul. Juri picked up the two pictures and began to compare them between Takato and Ruki and between her old self and present self, wondering what she was trying to look for. Was she looking for the same person that they used to be? Or was she looking for the changes that made the past seem alien and surreal?
Love, lift me out of these blues
Won't you tell me something true
I believe in you
Juri sighed and put the two photos down. She went to the bunk bed and lay on the bottom bed to close her eyes. Dinnertime would begin soon and Juri would go downstairs to help her parents. Her father and her mother, her family that she had. Juri concentrated on thinking about Ruki's disappearance with worry. Ruki made no sign that she was going to do anything drastic or go away without notice. It made no sense, just as it made sense about that Abaddon character that she and the other Tamers met at the Makino house. Everyone seemed so prepared to harm the strange boy so quickly without thought of what he might do or help him or her. It was such a strange feeling of understanding on how he felt. A feeling that there was something he hid away in the depths of his arrogant and smiling facade. Something that Juri was so utterly familiar with, Abaddon was wearing a mask to hide away from the world. Just like many others, herself included, did to hide themselves away. Ruki was no different but she clung hard to the illusion that it gave her strength while Takato hid behind his mask in an attempt to hide his ever-increasing change.
A mole, living in a hole
Digging up my soul
Going down, excavation
I and I in the sky
You make me feel like I can fly
So high, elevation
Juri opened her eyes and got up from the bed. Now was not a time to ponder on the past but a time to ponder on what to do for the present. Ruki was missing and action needed to be taken to rectify the situation. If only they knew where Ruki went? The only person, who seemed to even remotely know what was going on was Abaddon and Takato disliked, no despised, Abaddon. Takato hid it well but Juri noted the ire written on his eyes when he first laid on eyes on Abaddon.
Elevation...
Elevation...
Elevation...
Elevation...
Elevation...
Elevation...
Juri went over to the radio and turned it off. She would have to talk to Takato after the dinner rush was over. There was so many things that Juri wanted to talk to him about. About her, about him, about them and about Ruki that needed to be resolved.
'I think I love you,' Juri thought to herself as she walked down the stairs to the restaurant below.
******
Takato played with the business card that Abaddon had given him. The bold black words bore into his mind as even though he wasn't even paying attention to the words written. His mind flickered between Abaddon's intentions and where Ruki could have possibly gone too. To say none the least, Takato was getting no where and was stumped. Takato remembered his theory on why Ruki went away and then remembered what Jen said of it.
'That's a good theory but the only problem is it still doesn't tell us where she might of gone to,' Jen proclaimed.
The situation was starting to become increasingly unbearable. Takato didn't trust Abaddon as far as he could throw him. The thought of Abaddon got his blood boiling, there was something Abaddon that Takato quite frankly disliked to the extreme. It was akin to throwing water on a fire with stream rising from where the fire once was and the hissing sound as the fire died down and the water overcame.
"Takato!" Mie Matsuda called out. She was busy arranging the bread baked by her husband Takehiro. Mie balanced the tray and set down on the table in the bakery kitchen.
Takato got up from his bed and walked downstairs to the bakery.
"Yes mom?" Takato asked.
"I want you to send some of this bread to the Makino household. It's so sad that their daughter disappeared off like that, so your father and I decided to give some condolence bread. Be a dear and take this to them?" Mie explained as she carefully wrapped the bread. Takato reached for the bread and carefully put into some bags before noticing that his digimon Guilmon was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Guilmon?" Takato asked.
"He's outside digging a hole of some sort," Takehiro answered as he served a customer that came in. Takato could only blink and immediately went outside into the very small yard he had. The backyard was puny even by Japanese standards, it wasn't a yard to some people in fact. More like a narrow footpath between buildings with enough room to possibly make a very small garden if the Matsuda's wished for one. Guilmon blocked one of the paths and was digging a hole.
"Hey Guilmon... What are you doing?" Takato asked. He watched his partner digimon continue to dig at the ground.
"I'm looking for footprints!" Guilmon proudly proclaimed. Takato mind went blank in confusion.
"You're looking for footprints? But Guilmon! You don't need to see footprints to find anyone, you just need to smell..." Takato trailed off and his brain hit a rather brilliant idea.
"THAT'S IT!!" Takato crowed out loud. The sound of Takato's exclamation disrupted the concentration of a next door neighbour who promptly stuck his head out a window and shouted at Takato. Takato didn't hear what the neighbour said and literally patted himself on the back. They didn't need Abaddon's help at all, all they had to do was use Guilmon's nose to smell Ruki's passing. A plan formed in Takato's head, all they had to do was get on the same train that Ruki went on and at every stop try to find Ruki's scent. Guilmon could find Ruki with no problem, one good short whiff on the ground and he could tell whether Ruki had gotten off the train or not. The plan was brilliant, simple and easy that Takato felt like beating his head in for not thinking it earlier.
"Takato! Get in here and deliver the bread all ready!" Mie demanded. Takato was on cloud nine and took the bread without complaint with a sort of triumphant look on his face that made his mother blink in surprise.
"Come on Guilmon! Let's go to Ruki's house and then call Jen! I got a great idea!" Takato cheerily said.
Guilmon followed his Tamer confused but happy that Takato was so obviously ecstatic about something. Guilmon ran with his tamer and headed towards the Makino household.
They were completely oblivious that a dark shadow was watching them. A thin sneering smile appeared on the face of the spy and it was pleased. Soon his master would ascend the heavens as was his destiny and he would be justly and richly rewarded. Makino Ruki was as good as dead and her divine essence would feed his master, for it was written in the prophecy of Yllas. She would die the death that was intended for her bastard father Kotaru. She was the essence that was to feed his master's power, not Kotaru as they erroneously thought at first. Ekamon was but one servant in a sea of legions and these 'Tamers' would lead him to his prey. It was all just a matter of waiting for the right time to strike.
Ekamon melded into the shadows once more and watched Takato and Guilmon rush to the Makino household with their load of bread.
"I'm afraid your master is interfering in affairs that we had first claim to meddle in Ekamon," a smooth voice drawled. The smell of sweet tobacco entered the air and Ekamon began to sweat.
"Who are you?" Ekamon asked terrified. Who could have possible entered his shadow realm without his notice? It was impossible; every dimensional pocket was unique for each digimon who possessed the power to do so. No one should be able to pierce or enter the pocket it was impossible.
"Dead men tell no tales... In this case data tells no tales," the voice said idly. Ekamon didn't have time to turn around, scream or try to exit his secret dimensional pocket. He felt no pain though he noticed a powerful clawed fist had gone right through it's bipedal torso. Shock registered on Ekamon mind and he then realized that what he did next didn't matter. Ekamon was all ready dead. The clawed fist pulled back and removed itself from the torso quickly. Ekamon turned around to see who had killed him as he felt his data stream out into the air and be absorbed by another digimon. Ekamon saw a tall six-foot humanoid shaped tiger in a suit that was idly cleaning his hands off with a handkerchief and was smoking a cigar.
"Ruksashamon?" Ekamon asked before he was completely gone. The data floated in the air and Ruksashamon eagerly absorbed it but he was annoyed.
"That's Ruksasha to you... Not that it's of any use to you," Ruksasha explained. He put away his handkerchief and took the cigar out of his mouth. He thought to himself quietly before speaking out loud to no one in particular.
".... Damn... They're moving faster than I thought..."