Legend of the Digimon Queen

Intro: Konnichiwa again Rukato lovers!! Remember that little plot twist we told you about? Guess what, its about to get bigger.

BlackGatomon: And eviler too! This probably won't have too happy of an ending, let me tell you.

  Blackgatomon, be a good kitty and eat your noodles, do not reveal secrets of my devious story in the beginning, please. Anyway, needless to say I'm very happy you like the story, arigato for reviewing! Gomenasai for making Ruki a little too cold for your tastes… but it must be done. Oh yea… kinda forgot to mention this in the summary… there is slight Ryo bashing in this story (ack! Don't kill me please!!) Ryo lovers bear with me!!

  Disclaimer: As usual I do not own anything digimon, Bandai does. Wish I did though ^.^ wouldn't that be fun?

Italics- thoughts, memories

Bold- Actions and important things (notice the disclaimer is in bold!)

                                                            ****Chapter 2****

      Her reddish hair, her soft, snowy white skin that gave off a beautiful glow against the moonlight… and her stunning violet eyes. She was in his arms, and he could feel her slender body against his own. She looked at him with those eyes he admired so and he stared back. Closer… closer… they leaned forward and then…

  TWAP!

      Takato sat up abruptly, knocked from his daydream. Ms. Asaki had slapped her ruler on the desk, and was now glaring reproachfully at him. "Mr. Matsuki, please stop daydreaming!"

   Takato slumped down into his chair with pleading eyes. "Gomenasai Ms. Asaki… it won't happen again, I promise."

   Ms. Asaki rose back to her regular standing position and continued to walk down the aisles. Takato let out a sigh of relief and struggled to erase what was on his paper. The problem with his daydreaming was that usually he drew what he daydreamed, and on his test paper was a drawing of Ruki in a nice dress.

  He paused before erasing to admire his drawing. He had done the sketch so carefully it actually looked almost mirror image to his memory of her. With a sigh he erased it, unfortunately Ms. Asaki didn't like doodles.

   School ended very quickly afterward, thank goodness. Takato bounded out of school happy the weekend had come once more. Not only did it mean more free time, it meant long afternoons searching for a glimpse of Ruki.

   He preferred searching for her alone, mainly so he could think without the distraction of Hirokazu and Kenta. Apparently his friends had other ideas. Lee ran up to him, Terriermon on his shoulder, and grabbed Takato's backpack strap and yanked him back. "Where are you going Takato?"

     "Home, where else?" said a feminine voice behind them. Both boys whirled around to see Katou Juri standing before them with her friend, giggling. "Boys are so weird, they always ask stupid questions!"

   She and her friend giggled and walked off, leaving both boys with red faces. Takato's face was only red because of embarrassment however Lee was a different matter. Takato got over his annoyance and turned to answer Lee. "I…"

   Takato stopped. He had never told Lee about his sudden disappearances. Throughout the week after school he had dashed out of school searching for Ruki, leaving Lee behind. He felt bad, poor Lee was probably feeling left out. After thinking a moment, he decided to tell his friend what was going on. "Lee… you know how I disappear after school?"

  "Hai, you've been doing it this past week," said Lee, puzzled. Takato took a deep breath. "Gomenasai, I've never told you… but really I've been out…"

  "Spit it out Gogglehead," said Terriermon playfully. Takato froze and turned bright red. "I'vebeenoutlookingforRuki!"

    "Come again?" Lee gave him a quizzical look, but allowed the slammed sentence to process through his head. The answer popped up a nanosecond later. "You've been out looking for Ruki? Nani? Why?"
  Takato's face turned redder than before. "I… um… I…" He could only stare at his feet and allow Lee time to piece two and two together. Lee stared at him quizzically, in all his life he had never seen Takato's face this flushed… ok, except maybe at gym, but that was a totally different thing.

   Lee's mind dwelled on what he had just said, and it soon came to him, and to Terriermon too. "You have a crush on the Digimon Queen?!!" they blurted out at the same time.

  Takato looked up, his face pale as he clapped a hand over both Tamer and partner's mouth. "Sh-h!"

    Without waiting for a response, Takato dragged them to a shaded area behind the school and released his death grip on their jaws. Lee rubbed his jaw while Terriermon could only gape at Takato in utter surprise. "Takato, I always knew you were weird, but now I think you're insane!!" cried Terriermon.

   Takato looked a little hurt. Lee came to his side. "Do you really like Ruki?"
  Takato couldn't look at his friend. Lee sighed. "You know Takato, she's very rough. Are you sure?"
  Takato could only nod. Lee pondered this for a moment. "Ignore Terriermon, though he's just as shocked as I am. I thought you liked her… but I figured that wasn't true since you've had a crush on Juri since second grade!"

  "Oh… that…" was all Takato could say. Indeed, he did have a crush on Juri, but that had faded once Ruki came, and he found out (without Lee knowing) that Lee liked Juri too.

  Lee smiled. "Well then, that's settled and I understand." He began to push Takato toward the street. "You go off and find her alright? I don't want to get in the way."

  Terriermon was about to protest, but Lee covered his mouth. Takato looked back at Lee with a grateful glance and disappeared into the city streets. Lee sighed and released his hand from Terriermon's mouth. "There goes the bravest kid I ever met."

   "And the most insane! The Digimon Queen? He's flipped!!!"

    "Terriermon!!!"

                                                            ********

      At least five days of wandering through the streets and you have some idea of how difficult it was to find a ten year old girl, no matter how famous, in the crowds of Shinjuku. Takato had no idea where to look, and she left him no clues. On his searches his percentages of seeing her were very low, and he had seen her only once.

   Yet to be sure, Takato could no longer deny that he did like Ruki. He realized it himself one night, lying on his back, her face right in front of him and yet not in front of him. Daydreaming, dreaming, they were the same thing, eyes open or no, and each dream had Ruki in it. He longed to see her smile, and yet he felt it strange that he had only seen her at least once and yet he had fallen in love with her.

    He decided to go to the park, where he usually started his search. Unknown to him, Ruki was usually right under his nose, just hidden. That was intentional for Ruki, she didn't like to be seen, being seen meant reporters and annoying rookies wanting to battle her.

   She was wandering around the park, trying to find a new hiding place. The last one, up in the trees, didn't work out too well when some little kid bird watching saw her. What a weird surprise that was. Ruki shuddered at the thought of it as she walked around the park. "You need to go out and get some exercise! It's good for you!" Ha! If only you knew mother… grandmother…

   Something gray caught her eyes and she paused. She turned and saw a mossy staircase that headed up a small hill and into a shaded area. Her lips curved into a small smile. Perfect.

  After making sure no one was around she quickly and quietly hurried up the stairs. She emerged in a very shaded area, near a small shed with bars on it. This will do very well… Ruki you have hit the jackpot!

  She walked around the shed, careful not to make a sound. Next to hiding and card playing, being silent was another thing Ruki was good at. She could sneak up on a rabbit without being seen or heard. She managed to get to the door of the shed with little disturbance. She pulled on the bar and the door slid open with ease. She tiptoed inside and was suddenly aware she was not alone.

  Oh great…She squinted through the darkness, and her eyes rested on a rather large figure in the corner, obviously sleeping. It definitely wasn't human either. A digimon?

  She crept closer to it ever so slowly, and silently peered over at the 'thing' lying there. Definitely asleep and not to mention a digimon too. Now what idiot leaves his digimon in a shed? Honestly…

   The digimon stirred, it could smell her. She jumped back a little as the digimon flipped over and yawned. It turned around, and before its eyes could adjust to the darkness, Ruki pounced on it, scaring the living daylights out of the thing.

   "GAAAAAAHHHH!!!!"

    "Guilmon!!!" cried Takato, a few feet from the stairs to the shed. Oh crap! Guilmon!!! Heart racing and running as fast as his legs could carry him, he raced up the stairs and threw open the shed door. "Guil-!!"

   Takato stopped dead in mid-sentence. Around Guilmon's neck was Ruki, who had obviously spooked his poor digimon. Guilmon's eyes were wide as he tried to buck her off his back, but she had a death grip on his neck.

  "Ruki?! What're you doing?"

  In surprise, Ruki released Guilmon and Guilmon stopped thrashing. Both turned around to see Takato in the doorway, surprised and relieved at the same time. Guilmon smiled and bounded to him. "Takatomon!!"

  "Takatomon?" she questioned Guilmon's English.

   Takato had no time to reply, Guilmon had pounced on him and started licking him. "Takatomon!!! You're here! I was sleeping and had this dream about bread and suddenly something jumped on me and you came and now everything's all better!!!"
   "That's… great… Guilmon…" said Takato, trying to wiggle free from his over friendly digimon's grasp. "Guilmon get off!"

  "Gomenasai Takato…" said Guilmon, getting off his tamer. Ruki raised an eyebrow, this was the Gogglehead's digimon? After seeing him the night she had thought him much more umm… mature.

   Takato patted Guilmon happily. "I'm glad you're alright boy." He spotted Ruki on the rough ground, watching the two with a surprised look. "Ruki…"

  Ruki's eyes glittered in the flickering light. Slowly she rose and slid out of the shadows, "Gomenasai for interrupting. I was just looking for a place to hide."

   Takato opened his mouth to say something, then though the better of it and closed it. They stood, staring at one another, Guilmon at Takato's side, sniffing the air. Takato sighed after a moment, making Ruki jump.

  "Why are you hiding Ruki?"

"You would too if you were a famous card player. Almost every person here in Shinjuku that likes Digimon wants to get a piece of me… it's annoying," she said, her hand slowly brushing the wall.

  "Couldn't you beat them?"

  "I could indeed, but not all at once, and not for the rest of my life," she said. "As I said, gomenasai. I'll leave." She turned and started to walk out of the shed.

  "No! Wait!" he reached out to her and his hand snagged the back of her jacket. She turned around, and Takato smiled. "You can stay here… and hide… if you want."

  Ruki smiled slightly, causing heat to course through his veins like a rocket. He hoped his face wasn't as red as it seemed. "Arigato Gogglehead."

  Guilmon suddenly growled. Takato blinked. "What's wrong?"

  "A digimon…" growled Guilmon, eyes going viral. Takato pulled out his D-arc. "He's really close! Let's go!"

   Guilmon was already out the door. Ruki followed Takato down the stairs to the path, and suddenly collapsed. Takato did a double take and gasped. "Ruki?!"

   Ruki was on all fours, breathing heavily, her eyes wide in shock. One hand gripped her jacket right where her heart was. Takato was immediately at her side. "Ruki what's wrong with you?? Are you alright??"

   Ruki was still bent over in pain, fighting whatever it was to stay inside. Suddenly she was very dizzy, and her world began to spin. No! Stop it!!!

   Takato grabbed her hands and pulled her up. "Ruki??"

   There were two Takatos as Ruki looked up at him, the pain slowly going away. Her vision cleared, and suddenly the pain was gone from her chest. She sighed and Takato held her close. "Ruki you scared me! I thought you were going to die or you were hurt or…"

  Ruki broke away hastily. "No, no, it's alright, honest. Pain attacks, it usually happens…"

  Takato nodded, but she could tell he still worried about her. She sighed again, thankful he did not question her sudden illness. "Listen, I'd better go… arigato for the hiding place!"

   And like the wind she was gone. Takato ran his fingers through his messy hair. "Ja ne… Ruki san…"

                                                            *************

    Takato found her the next day, sitting in the corner of the shed, hugging her knees. She was out of the light, her snowy skin slightly visible in the darkness. He could see the sparkle of light reflected off her eyes as she looked up at him. "Good morning Ruki-san."

   She rose and came into the light. Takato noticed she looked much paler than before, if that was possible. Her eyes seemed to be a tad opaque too, but he dismissed this. It wasn't his business, besides he didn't want to anger her. The last thing he wanted was for her to stop using the shed as a 'hiding place'. "Konnichiwa, Dino Boy's asleep."

 "Oh. Where's Renamon?" questioned Takato, realizing he had not seen her quick digimon pal since that moonlit night under the street lamp.

  Ruki pursed her lips. "She'll be back, she's probably looking for wild ones…"

    As if on cue, Renamon materialized behind Ruki, causing Takato to jump in surprise. Ruki didn't flinch, instead she turned and grinned slightly. "Anything?"

  "No." Renamon's expression was emotionless as she spoke. "I see you have found new hiding place."
  "Hai, Gogglehead has been gracious enough to allow us the opportunity to hide here from the annoying public," she said, spitting anger as she mentioned 'public'. He knew she did not like crowds of people at all.

  Renamon bowed to Takato. "Arigato."

   "No problem," said Takato, smiling. Guilmon mumbled in his sleep and turned over. Renamon jumped back, posed and ready for anything suspicious. "At ease Renamon, it is only Gogglehead's digimon."

    Renamon relaxed and laid down beside the red digimon. She fell asleep as soon as her eyes closed, which was almost a second after. Ruki turned to Takato. "She'll sleep for a while, she's had a rough night."

   Ruki brushed past Takato and plodded down the mossy steps that led to the path. Takato walked after her. "Where are you going?"
  "What, do you want to come with me?" she glanced at him in slight annoyance. What is with this guy? He can't seem to leave me alone… oh well, I have to bear with him, he did allow me to use his 'shed'.

   Takato blushed slightly. "Do you mind?"

 Ruki sighed and shook her head. "I'm going to my house to get something to eat is all."

  "Why don't you just come to the bread shop?" said Takato, brightening. Ruki nodded thoughtfully. "All right."

   Takato smiled and led the way, making sure she was well hidden from the public, which wasn't easy. Twice he had to explain to passerby who thought she was the digimon queen that she was only his 'cousin' just to protect her. Ruki watched him explain that to a small boy. Why is he doing this? Is he really doing this… all for me?

   Takato beamed at Ruki. Well that little charade was a success!  He continued to lead her though the streets. She was silent, so Takato would occasionally try to spark a conversation. "Are you all right?"
  Ruki blinked at him and nodded. "Why do you ask?"

  Takato's expression softened. I'm still worried about her… she's so frail… I want to protect her so badly. "It's just about what happened yesterday, you really scared me."

  "I didn't mean to," she gazed at him, her own expression reflecting his. Nobody's ever been this worried about me before… except my family… if you can call it a family. "It just happens."

  Takato looked up at her. "Why?"

  Ruki stared at her feet. They had stopped walking, and were now standing in the alley next to the shop. Takato pulled her close. "You don't have to tell me now… you can tell me later ok? But I'm here for you, I'd like to be your friend."

    Friend. The word hung in her head like a rain cloud in the sky. The word slightly bothered her she had never had friends, just acquaintances. And here was this boy, popping up on her, that had extended his hand, willingly excepting any challenge that may befall him when befriending the Digimon Queen. This was all very new to her, but a question lingered in her head. Why would he ever want to befriend her?

   Ruki sighed, breathing in the scent of his jacket. He smelt like bread of course, he worked in a bread shop. His hand was bending her head into his chest, her own slender hands at her sides. Her hands were not her own anymore though, not the frail graceful ones that always obeyed. While her head comprehended the world around her, her hands acted as if they had a brain, and like little snakes slowly slid around his waist.

   Takato put his head in her hair, his calm breath blowing a few strands forward and back. Forward and back. It was strange to him that he was hugging someone, someone he never knew or would know, yet he wanted so badly to protect her, to comfort, to love, like she was a child that was new to the world. But she was teenager, just like him, and yet she seemed so young and misunderstood.

   She broke away and her eyes met his. He locked her into the gaze, connecting her eyes to his in such a way that she could not turn. Dazzling those eyes were, sweet and serene, yet full of mystery and slightly clouded. He pulled a strand of hair behind her ear; she neither flinched nor moved. She felt her hands tingle as Takato's rose to her face and gently graced her pale thin face. For such a cold person, she was warm and light headed now. He leaned forward slowly.

     Ruki could feel her heart pounding, but suddenly her vision blurred. She felt like she was sinking into abyss, and before she knew it, she was on the ground, breathing hard. Takato's eyes were wide as he quickly was at her side. "Ruki! What's wrong?"

    Ruki's hands immediately clutched her head, which pounded and felt like it would split in two. As she wailed in pain, Takato froze, not knowing what to do. Oh god… what's wrong? I feel so helpless…

  And suddenly, Ruki was out like a light. Takato watched her fall to the ground as she lost her already tedious grip on consciousness. Takato gasped. "Ruki-san?!"

   Without thinking Takato pulled her into his arms, and carried her into the house. His face was as pale and white as hers as he entered the shop, his mother cutting up bread for rolling into buns in the corner. "Well hello Takat-

  Her knife clattered on the tiled floor. "My god! What happened?!"

   Takato froze. He didn't know. He didn't know what had happened to her, how could he explain this to her parents? "I… Mom… she… I…"

   Mei didn't wait for an answer. She seized the pale girl from him and immediately descended up the stairs, Takato silently following behind her. He didn't understand it, how could someone so seemingly cold and emotionless be so frail?

                                                *************

Alas, we must stop. Gomenasai, Ruki's a tad too frail eh? It'll all come together, you'll understand later, I promise!

Blackgatomon: Yea! And don't forget to bring me candy when you review! Please? ^.^