Dark-Angel: Another chapter comin' your way, and a very interesting one at
that. Rika will be sorta OOC in this chappie, so sorry if anyone thinks
that she shouldn't be ;)
A lot of questions should be answered in this chapter, so hopefully that will clear it up a little.
Thanx to all my wonderful reviewers who are all very patient with me. Thank you for that!
Disclaimer: Me do not own Digimon or it's characters but me own this story, some of the characters and its plot *_*
Chapter 8
Unfolding Feelings And Notions
~~~
"I don't understand. Why would she be in the Digital World? Wouldn't she have told someone?" Rumiko looked horrified at the thought that her only daughter might be all alone in the Digital World, the place where sorrows were inevitable.
By this time, Rumiko had called the other Tamers and their parents, and most of them were now at her house, surrounding the large table, listening to Jeri's list of possibilities of where Rika might be.
"Remember, these are only possibilities, Ms Nonaka. She could be anywhere, as long as you're sure she's gone..?" Jeri shot a questioning glance at Rumiko, still not quite convinced that Rika would leave without saying anything.
"Of course she's gone! She might not be in the Digital World, but she's definitely not here." Rumiko answered hopelessly.
"And neither is Ryo." Mr. Akiyama stated, opening the possibilities a little bit.
"Mr. Akiyama, did Ryo say anything to you before he left?" Henry asked the tall man in front of him cautiously.
"He did say that he was going to your house, Takato, but other than that nothing. I did think that it was a little strange that he was leaving the house at such a late hour, but I never like to question his decisions if he doesn't bring them up himself." Ryo's father stated simply, knowing that he should of after the incident a couple of years ago.
"I respect that, but maybe you should have asked him why he was going out at such a late hour. It might not have resulted the way it did." Rumiko said, looking the older man in the eye.
"Yeah, I'm sorry, Rumiko." Mr. Akiyama looked down. He trusted his son with his life, but maybe this was going a little too far. What if his son and Rika were in trouble somewhere, and they couldn't get out of it. He knew that Ryo had deep feelings for Rika, and had for some time. He could see the severe chemistry that had built up over the years that they had known each other. Now it was time to put complete faith in his son and Rika. 'They will come out of this alive!' He told himself firmly.
Rumiko raised an eyebrow at the sound of her first name, but quickly recovered, realising that her daughter had kept so much from her over the years. Although Rika had softened up considerably, she still never told her mother what was going on inside her head. And it didn't just hurt her, it hurt most probably everyone that was in the room, and even some that weren't. One particularly, she knew was hurting really bad. One who had always shrugged off her comments about him, one that would always see the light at the end of the tunnel, one that would never give up. Ryo Akiyama.
"So tell us more about the knife that was found in her room, Ms Nonaka." Takato spoke up, not feeling comfortable with the silence that seemed to be passing through the room at the moment.
~~~The Dark Fortress~~~
"Rika, do you remember the silver kitsune outline that was on the ceiling of your room?" Bakemonomon asked suddenly, making Rika snap out of her trance. Despite what her mind was saying, she couldn't help but think of Ryo. She had wondered what he was doing, and if he was worried about her. Kinda crazy, but that was what had come to her head when she had seen that image of him in her thoughts. She was longing to see that adorable smile once more, the feeling of warmth that was emitted from it. She felt a strange feeling of belonging whenever she saw that smile. A feeling unlike she had ever known before. Perhaps she and Ryo weren't so different after all..
Rika nodded her head slowly, not very happy that her thoughts were interrupted. Had Bakemonomon known that she was thinking about Ryo?
"Well, that symbolises the healing guild. You see, there are four guilds in all of the dark Kitsune race; the healing guild, the fighting guild, the controlling guild and the element guild (AN: I made that up, ok. Remember that these are Digimon, they're not really Kitsune ;). I think you can guess what the healing and the fighting guilds do. As for the other two, the controlling guild is able to control minds, like me, and the element guild can call upon the elements and control them. A normal Kitsune should only be able to master one of these abilities, but you have shown me that you are able to control three of these talents. The three being healing: when you were in the healing chamber, Byakkomon didn't have to use a lot of her healing power because she saw that you had already healed most of your body yourself. You have shown me that you can master the fighting ability due to the fact that you have outmatched my best fighter, and you can control the element of fire because you have survived the challenge of walking through it." Bakemonomon explained, looking closely at Rika for a reaction.
"But you said that walking through the fire would determine if I would be worthy of you or not." Rika stated suspiciously.
Bakemonomon just laughed. "You do pay close attention, don't you? By the way, do you remember when you were still at your house and you were hit by a sharp object?"
Rika nodded, vaguely remembering the sharp object pierce into her temple.
"Well, the knife didn't really pierce into you. Your mind was reacting to the unnatural feeling of the knife, so thinking the obvious, it made you imagine that it had hit you. It was just a mind illusion, Rika, something that the human brain does sometimes, apparently."
"Oh.." Rika trailed off, not wanting her brain to be confused anymore by her conflicting feelings for Ryo, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not get him out of her head.
~~~Nonaka House~~~
"So, you say it was crouching? Like waiting for something?" Henry held his hand to his chin, trying to think as to why the kitsune on the knife had been crouching. In fact, he was wondering why in the hell there was a kitsune on the weapon period. A few hours before, Rumiko had gone to the police with the knife and told them everything that she knew about her daughter's disappearance. The police were very kind and sensitive, although they probably thought that she needed a cup of coffee and maybe a good sleep, due to the fact that she hadn't told them much. They said that they would look into it, and that they needed to keep the knife as evidence.
"Yes, and it seemed to look strangely familiar to me, like I've seen it before, but I can't remember where.." Rumiko trailed off, trying to think of where she had seen the obscene symbol before.
Jeri sighed a long, sorrowful sigh. So far, they were getting nowhere. Heck, they were still waiting for the police to call them back on Rumiko's cell. 'But maybe we shouldn't be here. Maybe we should be somewhere else. Supporting them with all the help we've got!' Again she sighed. 'I don't know, just a feeling I have..'
~~Outside The Fortress~~~
"So, you sure this is it?" Ryo took a long, deep breath in, and waited for the answer.
"Yes, there's no mistaking the dark walls, the overly large door, and the musty swell of old wood.." Renamon trailed off. She had begun to have second thoughts about this, but she knew that her Tamer was in there, and she needed her help. Before walking to the door, she took a deep breath and let out a sigh that spoke only of sorrow and helplessness. 'What can I do? I am no match for Bakemonomon. And how would I be helping Rika if I was deleted? But still, perhaps Ryo can reach her in a way I cannot. He is pretty close to her in a way I'm not..' Renamon glanced at the nervous teenage boy standing slightly in front of her.
"Let's go, then." Ryo nervously put his hand on the rusty doorknob, then slowly turned it, revealing little by little the inside of the huge building.
~~~The Main Room of The Fortress~~~
'Why do I have this strange pain in my stomach? What the hell is wrong with me? I shouldn't be able to feel pain. I am flawless and unable to feel emotions, so why do I feel like this? And why can't I get Ryo Akiyama out of my head? Could I really be in love with him? NO, that's not possible! I'm the Ice Queen, the queen of all dark Kitsune, and I do not let emotions get in my way! But still..is it a possibility? Could I really be falling for my former rival and comrade in battle?'
"Rika, please stop thinking such absurd things! You are our Queen; you cannot possibly feel emotions, especially love for a person who has brought you so much grief and pain. Stop trying to be human again!" Bakemonomon shouted, sending Rika a disgusted look. 'How could she have been thinking about that little brat? I am supposed to have complete control over her mind, so why is she still able to think her own thoughts, and feel her own feelings?'
"Yeah, whatever.." Rika sighed and turned her head away from the large Digimon, laying them to rest on the giant door of the room. As soon as she saw the three figures that were standing by it, she froze. They had come for her, but how did they know where she was.
"Rika.." Ryo said almost inaudibly, staring at the girl who was standing about 20 feet away from himself.
Renamon and Cyberdramon allowed the two to reunite with each other, while they seized up their opponent.
'He looks different from the last time I saw him. More intimidating and powerful. What weapon does he have in his possession?' Renamon thought as she looked at Bakemonomon from top to bottom.
But instead of the two teenagers moving from their places to greet each other, they just stood there, staring at each other, neither one of them daring to say a word.
'I know the answer to my question now.' Rika thought to herself, although her face never looked down from the one staring back at her.
*Hello my friend, we meet again
It's been a while, where should we begin?
Feels like forever
Within my heart a memory
A perfect love that you gave to me
Oh, I remember
When you are with me I'm free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My sacrifice
We've seen our share of ups and downs
Oh how quickly life can turn around
In an instant
If feels so good to realise
What's in yourself and within your mind
Let's find peace there
When you are with me I'm free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My sacrifice
I just want to say hello again
I just want to say hello again
When you are with me I'm free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
Cause when you are with me I am free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My sacrifice, My sacrifice
I just want to say hello again
I just want to say hello again
My sacrifice*
Dark-Angel: There we are, chappie 8. What will happen to Rika and Ryo in this very strange standoff? And why didn't Rika react to Renamon's entrance? Does she even know she's there? Heh, don't ask me cause I already know ;)
The song is "My Sacrifice" by Creed.
I'll be back with another chapter shortly, so don't go away!
A lot of questions should be answered in this chapter, so hopefully that will clear it up a little.
Thanx to all my wonderful reviewers who are all very patient with me. Thank you for that!
Disclaimer: Me do not own Digimon or it's characters but me own this story, some of the characters and its plot *_*
Chapter 8
Unfolding Feelings And Notions
~~~
"I don't understand. Why would she be in the Digital World? Wouldn't she have told someone?" Rumiko looked horrified at the thought that her only daughter might be all alone in the Digital World, the place where sorrows were inevitable.
By this time, Rumiko had called the other Tamers and their parents, and most of them were now at her house, surrounding the large table, listening to Jeri's list of possibilities of where Rika might be.
"Remember, these are only possibilities, Ms Nonaka. She could be anywhere, as long as you're sure she's gone..?" Jeri shot a questioning glance at Rumiko, still not quite convinced that Rika would leave without saying anything.
"Of course she's gone! She might not be in the Digital World, but she's definitely not here." Rumiko answered hopelessly.
"And neither is Ryo." Mr. Akiyama stated, opening the possibilities a little bit.
"Mr. Akiyama, did Ryo say anything to you before he left?" Henry asked the tall man in front of him cautiously.
"He did say that he was going to your house, Takato, but other than that nothing. I did think that it was a little strange that he was leaving the house at such a late hour, but I never like to question his decisions if he doesn't bring them up himself." Ryo's father stated simply, knowing that he should of after the incident a couple of years ago.
"I respect that, but maybe you should have asked him why he was going out at such a late hour. It might not have resulted the way it did." Rumiko said, looking the older man in the eye.
"Yeah, I'm sorry, Rumiko." Mr. Akiyama looked down. He trusted his son with his life, but maybe this was going a little too far. What if his son and Rika were in trouble somewhere, and they couldn't get out of it. He knew that Ryo had deep feelings for Rika, and had for some time. He could see the severe chemistry that had built up over the years that they had known each other. Now it was time to put complete faith in his son and Rika. 'They will come out of this alive!' He told himself firmly.
Rumiko raised an eyebrow at the sound of her first name, but quickly recovered, realising that her daughter had kept so much from her over the years. Although Rika had softened up considerably, she still never told her mother what was going on inside her head. And it didn't just hurt her, it hurt most probably everyone that was in the room, and even some that weren't. One particularly, she knew was hurting really bad. One who had always shrugged off her comments about him, one that would always see the light at the end of the tunnel, one that would never give up. Ryo Akiyama.
"So tell us more about the knife that was found in her room, Ms Nonaka." Takato spoke up, not feeling comfortable with the silence that seemed to be passing through the room at the moment.
~~~The Dark Fortress~~~
"Rika, do you remember the silver kitsune outline that was on the ceiling of your room?" Bakemonomon asked suddenly, making Rika snap out of her trance. Despite what her mind was saying, she couldn't help but think of Ryo. She had wondered what he was doing, and if he was worried about her. Kinda crazy, but that was what had come to her head when she had seen that image of him in her thoughts. She was longing to see that adorable smile once more, the feeling of warmth that was emitted from it. She felt a strange feeling of belonging whenever she saw that smile. A feeling unlike she had ever known before. Perhaps she and Ryo weren't so different after all..
Rika nodded her head slowly, not very happy that her thoughts were interrupted. Had Bakemonomon known that she was thinking about Ryo?
"Well, that symbolises the healing guild. You see, there are four guilds in all of the dark Kitsune race; the healing guild, the fighting guild, the controlling guild and the element guild (AN: I made that up, ok. Remember that these are Digimon, they're not really Kitsune ;). I think you can guess what the healing and the fighting guilds do. As for the other two, the controlling guild is able to control minds, like me, and the element guild can call upon the elements and control them. A normal Kitsune should only be able to master one of these abilities, but you have shown me that you are able to control three of these talents. The three being healing: when you were in the healing chamber, Byakkomon didn't have to use a lot of her healing power because she saw that you had already healed most of your body yourself. You have shown me that you can master the fighting ability due to the fact that you have outmatched my best fighter, and you can control the element of fire because you have survived the challenge of walking through it." Bakemonomon explained, looking closely at Rika for a reaction.
"But you said that walking through the fire would determine if I would be worthy of you or not." Rika stated suspiciously.
Bakemonomon just laughed. "You do pay close attention, don't you? By the way, do you remember when you were still at your house and you were hit by a sharp object?"
Rika nodded, vaguely remembering the sharp object pierce into her temple.
"Well, the knife didn't really pierce into you. Your mind was reacting to the unnatural feeling of the knife, so thinking the obvious, it made you imagine that it had hit you. It was just a mind illusion, Rika, something that the human brain does sometimes, apparently."
"Oh.." Rika trailed off, not wanting her brain to be confused anymore by her conflicting feelings for Ryo, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not get him out of her head.
~~~Nonaka House~~~
"So, you say it was crouching? Like waiting for something?" Henry held his hand to his chin, trying to think as to why the kitsune on the knife had been crouching. In fact, he was wondering why in the hell there was a kitsune on the weapon period. A few hours before, Rumiko had gone to the police with the knife and told them everything that she knew about her daughter's disappearance. The police were very kind and sensitive, although they probably thought that she needed a cup of coffee and maybe a good sleep, due to the fact that she hadn't told them much. They said that they would look into it, and that they needed to keep the knife as evidence.
"Yes, and it seemed to look strangely familiar to me, like I've seen it before, but I can't remember where.." Rumiko trailed off, trying to think of where she had seen the obscene symbol before.
Jeri sighed a long, sorrowful sigh. So far, they were getting nowhere. Heck, they were still waiting for the police to call them back on Rumiko's cell. 'But maybe we shouldn't be here. Maybe we should be somewhere else. Supporting them with all the help we've got!' Again she sighed. 'I don't know, just a feeling I have..'
~~Outside The Fortress~~~
"So, you sure this is it?" Ryo took a long, deep breath in, and waited for the answer.
"Yes, there's no mistaking the dark walls, the overly large door, and the musty swell of old wood.." Renamon trailed off. She had begun to have second thoughts about this, but she knew that her Tamer was in there, and she needed her help. Before walking to the door, she took a deep breath and let out a sigh that spoke only of sorrow and helplessness. 'What can I do? I am no match for Bakemonomon. And how would I be helping Rika if I was deleted? But still, perhaps Ryo can reach her in a way I cannot. He is pretty close to her in a way I'm not..' Renamon glanced at the nervous teenage boy standing slightly in front of her.
"Let's go, then." Ryo nervously put his hand on the rusty doorknob, then slowly turned it, revealing little by little the inside of the huge building.
~~~The Main Room of The Fortress~~~
'Why do I have this strange pain in my stomach? What the hell is wrong with me? I shouldn't be able to feel pain. I am flawless and unable to feel emotions, so why do I feel like this? And why can't I get Ryo Akiyama out of my head? Could I really be in love with him? NO, that's not possible! I'm the Ice Queen, the queen of all dark Kitsune, and I do not let emotions get in my way! But still..is it a possibility? Could I really be falling for my former rival and comrade in battle?'
"Rika, please stop thinking such absurd things! You are our Queen; you cannot possibly feel emotions, especially love for a person who has brought you so much grief and pain. Stop trying to be human again!" Bakemonomon shouted, sending Rika a disgusted look. 'How could she have been thinking about that little brat? I am supposed to have complete control over her mind, so why is she still able to think her own thoughts, and feel her own feelings?'
"Yeah, whatever.." Rika sighed and turned her head away from the large Digimon, laying them to rest on the giant door of the room. As soon as she saw the three figures that were standing by it, she froze. They had come for her, but how did they know where she was.
"Rika.." Ryo said almost inaudibly, staring at the girl who was standing about 20 feet away from himself.
Renamon and Cyberdramon allowed the two to reunite with each other, while they seized up their opponent.
'He looks different from the last time I saw him. More intimidating and powerful. What weapon does he have in his possession?' Renamon thought as she looked at Bakemonomon from top to bottom.
But instead of the two teenagers moving from their places to greet each other, they just stood there, staring at each other, neither one of them daring to say a word.
'I know the answer to my question now.' Rika thought to herself, although her face never looked down from the one staring back at her.
*Hello my friend, we meet again
It's been a while, where should we begin?
Feels like forever
Within my heart a memory
A perfect love that you gave to me
Oh, I remember
When you are with me I'm free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My sacrifice
We've seen our share of ups and downs
Oh how quickly life can turn around
In an instant
If feels so good to realise
What's in yourself and within your mind
Let's find peace there
When you are with me I'm free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My sacrifice
I just want to say hello again
I just want to say hello again
When you are with me I'm free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
Cause when you are with me I am free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My sacrifice, My sacrifice
I just want to say hello again
I just want to say hello again
My sacrifice*
Dark-Angel: There we are, chappie 8. What will happen to Rika and Ryo in this very strange standoff? And why didn't Rika react to Renamon's entrance? Does she even know she's there? Heh, don't ask me cause I already know ;)
The song is "My Sacrifice" by Creed.
I'll be back with another chapter shortly, so don't go away!