A/N Hey, it's me again! Har, har! You won't escape me, people! Man, that thing here took me ages, didn't it? Erm. SORRY! ^-^

And, again, I'd appreciate if you review. Thanks to Hoobastanker, Zero, Tuppence and Leness, glad you like it. And I hope it will stay that way.

And do you really think if I owned Digimon I would be writing fan fictions???

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- °Here I am, sitting on that bench again. That's where it all started.°

She blinked.

°It's stayed the same over the years. But this time, Ryo won't be there. Stupid jackass! Why did he have to do that? Oh, forget about it, Ruki. It's no use. °

Again, she blinked like mad.

"Hey there."

She looked up to see Jenrya standing behind the bench. He had grown. But despite that, he looked pretty much the same.

She saw Juri and Takato come down the path. Takato didn't wear his goggles and Juri had her hair flowing down to her elbows. Suzie had grown a whole lot. She was thin and tall. She looked really cute.

(A/N Sorry, but I'm not very thrilled by the idea of describing them exactly one by one, so I'll just skip that part. Imagine them how you want them to look like, okay?)

Juri looked at her admiringly and the others seemed to be looking her over intensely as well.

"WHAT?"

"Hey, you've really changed. Looking hot, girl!"

"Her looks may have changed, but sure not her attitude."

"Hey! I heard that, baka!"

"Um. Wait a second. that's a dress, isn't it?"

"No, Kazu, it's a pancake. Of course it's a dress, idiot."

"Well, looks like you were right with the attitude thing, Takato."

"Oh, shut up, vermin."

"Hey.You're wearing his scarf." Jenrya stated quietly.

". Yeah ."

Nobody dared to say anything. But it seemed as everyone was excited of something. Maybe it had something to do with her surprise. She didn't care, though. She wanted to get it through as soon as possible.

"Well, guys, let's get going, shall we?"

The digital world was in a horrible state. Everything was grey and cold and she didn't see a digimon anywhere.

"Lets go to the others. If we stay here too long, we might be discovered."

°Wow! A pithy sentence from Kazu. He must have really changed.°

They wandered for almost two hours. Then they reached a canyon. One by one they climbed down. Once at the bottom, Jenrya called into a dark cave. Their digimon came out. Calumon jumped to Ruki and welcomed her. Renamon hugged her carefully. She smiled. A bit weakly, but it was a smile. Then she noticed another digimon she had never seen before, not even on the digimon cards. It looked a bit like an ocelot. It glanced at her.

"Is it her?"

"Am I what? Who the heck are you?"

The small digimon walked up to her and asked: "You fought with Akiyama Ryo against that Frogmon, right?"

A bit shocked about the question, she nodded. "And you managed to give him your power, didn't you?"

She nodded again, and a tear freed itself from its carefully closed prison. She frowned and wiped it away.

"So you are the Chosen One, Makino Ruki. I'm Soulmon."

That confused her.

"I don't understand. Not even one word."

"I'll explain. On earth, there are two souls that are way more powerful than anyone else. A male and a female. Because of their energy, they keep being reborn. And you're the female one."

"What? How do you know that?"

"Well, there's a book called 'The Chronicle Of The Two Worlds'. It tells how that two souls rescued both the real and the digital world in the past. And it tells a way to find them. But that would be too complicated to explain right now. Important is, I know that you are the Chosen One and I know, that the Chosen Ones can revive Digimon. Human souls are usually too weak for a resurrection."

"You mean, I can revive Leomon. and Cyberdramon. and maybe even."

She looked at the digimon, hope pulsating in her eyes. Soulmon smiled.

"And Ryo, right."

Then he turned to Jenrya.

"Do you have the things I ordered?"

The boy gave him a card game, a Monodramon figure and a doll that looked similar to that one Juri had carried around with her when she was younger.

"If you concentrate on one of these things, you'll feel an D.N.A. string. It looks like a folded paper. Concentrate all your mind on unfolding it. Then you'll see the person or the digimon you're trying to revive. Grab it. If you feel substance, you made it."

She looked her friends. Juri was extremely excited. Ruki smiled warmly at her.

( A/N Ruki? Smiling WARMLY? I'm crazy!)

"Well, guys, could you go elsewhere? I can concentrate better when I'm alone."

They nodded and left her.

She grabbed the doll and concentrated. Soon, she could see the paper, as Soulmon had described it. She was easily able to revive Leomon. He remembered his death and thanked Ruki for bringing him back. Then he went off searching Juri.

She turned to the game. Cyberdramon was a little more complicated, but she was able to get him back as well. When she opened her eyes again, he looked a bit surprised.

"What am I doing here? And where' s that Frogmon thing? And most of all, where's Ryo?"

"Don't you remember it?"

"Remember what? By the way, you're looking different. Older, and your hair is longer. hold on a second. that's a dress, isn't it?"

"Well, what does it look like?" She sighed annoyed. "You were killed in the fight against Frogmon six years ago. I revived you a minute ago."

"What?! You say I'm a zombie? That's a joke, isn't it?"

"Um. not really. I don't really know why, but I'm obviously able to revive digimon. And now, you're alive again."

"I understand not even one word."

"I would explain it, if I could. Despite that, I need to do something really important. Go to the others. There's a digimon named Soulmon. Ask him."

He eyed her.

"And what do you need to do that's sooo important and urgent?"

Her eyes got an almost dramatic glitter.

".I'll bring Ryo back."

"Oh. Then I'll leave now. Call me, if he's there again, okay?"

"Sure, Cyberdramon. Welcome back."

He nodded and flew off.

She concentrated on the Monodramon figure. She had seen it once when she was at Ryo's house. Then Kazu had come and she had hidden in his room, because she didn't want him to know that she would willingly enter Ryo's home. She smiled at that.

But this time, it wasn't as easy. She almost got a headache, but finally she saw him. He looked at her, smiling. She smiled back and walked up to him slowly. She touched his hand. For quite a while, she just stood there, wanting to burn the touch deep in her memories if she didn't suceed. Then she opened her eyes.

He was real. And he was still holding her hand. And it didn't seem like he wanted to change that in the next few months. She snatched it away quickly and turned away from him.

°Damn blushing. Damn hormones. Damn Ryo.°

"Hey, Ruki. Nice seeing you again."

Her blush was gone. But not her anger. The feelings and memories of six dark years flooded her mind like a river. She whirled around and slapped him as hard as she could. His surprised look didn't stop her. It just made her lose the temper even more.

"Goddamned coward!" He stood up, his look replaced by one of bewilderment and questioning.

"I-"

"NO! I! Did you ever think about me? In any of your actings, did you EVER think about me?? First, you blow yourself up trying to make me feel guilty. Hey, guess what? It worked! Funny, right? Six goddamned years I spent with scolding myself for letting you die. I was trying everything to get your ass back in here, and anything you say is: 'Nice seeing you.' ?! Oh, god, even I didn't know how much I hate you, Akiyama!"

she stopped for a moment in her angry yelling and took a deep breath. But as soon as she tried to start again, he grabbed her shoulders and pressed her against the wall.

"What are you thinking why I did that, huh? I didn't want you to blame yourself, I wanted you to survive, for god's sake! I gave my live for yours! And all I get to hear from you is that you hate me. Fine! It couldn't be ANY better!" You could almost hear the sarcasm trickling out of his last words. He breathed and, before Ruki could start again, went on. "How long is it ago now that I beat you? Nine years? Won't you ever forget that, Ruki? I never treated you like I was superior, I think. But you won't ever accept me. I'm used to it, but can you do me a favour and keep your mouth just SHUT about it? I hate to say that, but I'm beginning to think you're heartless!"

She tried to shove him away, giving her best not to show any emotion but anger. She was able to do that with anyone. But with him, it was different. Everything was different when he was around. But she wasn't totally sure if she liked or detested that. Her weak attempts to overwhelm him were of course fruitless since he was taller and a whole lot more powerful.

"I'm NOT heartless! Or would I have tried to commit sui." She stopped herself, trying to hide what she had been about to say.

°He doesn't need to know that I'm that weak when it comes to him.°

"What do you know about me, about my life? I lost my best friend, but why would you care, huh? You're so perfect, that has to hurt, doesn't it?"

She coughed and tried to calm her breathing. She felt his grip loosen. He spoke up again, but this time softly and quietly.

"Yeah, right. It hurts."

She looked at him in disbelief. He smiled weakly.

"Because you hate me for that."

She looked at him. In his eyes, she saw the hurt he was trying hard to hide. His eyes. Her source of power. But now, there was nothing but loneliness. He cast his gaze down, trying hard to avoid hers. Looking down, too, she said quietly:

"I'm sorry, Ryo."

She felt him release his hands from her shoulders, by now realising that they had rested there until now. She wouldn't have minded them staying there. His touches were always so intense, yet so light and gentle. She could barely stop an disappointed sigh from escaping her lips.

°Well, usually I would say 'Damn him!', but I think I'm beginning to repeat myself. If I said 'Send him to hell!', maybe God would hear it and take it a little bit too serious, like last time. No need.°

While she kept silently debating with herself, she didn't see or hear anything.

Then suddenly, she felt two long sinewy arms slide around her waist and she was pulled into a tight embrace.

"Hey wildcat. I missed you."

Damn, she's so out of my league. But unfortunately, I couldn't hold myself. Stupid idiot, you're making everything worse. But how often have I tried to imagine the feeling of her body against mine? Three-thousand-seven- hundred-ninety-four? That could fit it.

True, he had imagined exact that scene thousands of times before. But what didn't fit in his thoughts was Ruki. Not her presence. But she didn't defend herself from his 'attack'. She almost seemed to lean into the hold. And immediately, he mentally smacked himself for thinking that. Don't make up your hopes, stupid. It won't work. It never will. I should be glad Ruki sees me like a human being. But still, she's almost hugging back, isn't she?

That fact was surprising Ruki even more.

°I have the perfect occasion for my bloody revenge. I could probably make him unable to ever get kids. But still. I'm standing here in his arms, convincing myself that I hate him doing that and react in no way like that. No, I even almost threw my arms around him, too! I don't know.°

He stopped her train of thoughts by letting go of her, yet almost hesitating.

"Did you mean me by 'best friend'?"

She looked up at him, and for the first time she noticed that he wasn't a boy anymore.

His body had grown to how he should look by now. And he looked hot. He was over a head above her, slender hip, square shoulders. He was wearing the same clothes he had worn the day he had died. A red turtle-neck and wide khaki pants.

Ryo took his first exact look at her as well. She had grown since he had seen her. Her body was perfect, thin and feminine. The red dress she was wearing fitted her great.

They both realized at the same time that they must have been really staring at each other. Ruki quickly turned.

° It's not like I care, but if he sees me like that, he might think I'm a tomato. And again I say, damned hormones.°

She called for Renamon and they went to the cave again. While Ryo was about to get choked by the others, Ruki turned to Soulmon.

"Well, you said, I could revive digimon."

"Exactly."

"If I remember right, Ryo isn't a digimon."

"No."

"But you said that it usually doesn't work on humans, didn't you?"

"Usually."

She rolled her eyes.

"Could you stop giving me one word answers and tell me what I was asking for?"

Ryo sat down next to her.

"Could someone please explain what the hell is going on here?"

He demonstratively looked at Soulmon.

"Well, on earth, there are two souls that keep being reborn. They're more powerful than any other and able to revive digimon and some humans. Ruki is the female one."

A suspicion came into Ruki's mind.

"But his soul must be very powerful to get revived, doesn't it?"

"Right." The digimon looked as if he was smirking at her. "He is the male part of the Chosen Ones."

They turned to look at each other, absolutely perplexed. Then Ryo smiled.

"There you got it. You're chosen to love me. And you don't wanna prove the poor little digimon wrong, right?"

She just glared. Okay, this one was extreme. Kazu would have pissed his pants. But, hey, we're talking about Ryo, right? He just grinned back at her.

"You two were able to beat Frogmon, am I right?"

Ruki frowned.

"You are, but just because Mr. Legendary Tamer here had the irresistible urge to show his famous suicide stunt."

"But I wouldn't have succeeded without your help, pumpkin."

"Stop calling me that."

"Okay, wildcat."

"Uuuuh! Soulmon, if I kill him now, can I revive him later?"

The digimon just smiled at that.

"You need to learn two really important things. First: unquestioning trust."

They nodded immediately.

"Good. Second: a new digivolution."

"What?! Cool!"

"Hey, you should be going to a choir. Anyways, you'll digivolve to Sakuyamon and Justimon and then make a Hybrid digivolution. That means, you connect and become one being. You're called Justyamon then.

(A/N Yeah, I know that's dumb, but I'm not really into names.)

We start training tomorrow. So sleep early. And you have to synchronize perfectly."

"Oh, great." She sighed annoyed.

"Hey, come on, Ruki, I'm not that bad, am I?"

"I didn't say you were, but I'm not really thrilled with having to act exactly like you."

He ignored the last part and stated grinning:

"So you think I'm good? I knew you liked me."

"Grrrr."

"Well, I'm not really surprised. I knew you would fall for me once. As good looking as I am."

"That's enough. DIE!!!"

She rushed at him and tried to grab his neck. He dodged and grabbed her wrists before she could reach him. Then he brought her to the ground, slowing her fall with his arms.

"Gotcha."

"Jerk."

He grinned even more. Then he looked up. There stood Cyberdramon, Renamon, Lopmon, Terriermon, Juri, Takato and Jenrya. And they looked very interested. Way too interested. But it was an interesting situation, he had to admit. Ruki lying on the floor, Ryo kneeling above her, their faces only inches apart. He stood up quickly and grabbed the sleeping bag Takato had brought for him. That boy was most confused with the situation.

"What the heck was that?"

Then at least six voices whispering: "Shut up, Takato!"

That seemed a little bit suspect to Ruki.

Meanwhile, Ryo had placed his bag before the wall on the back of the cave. There was lying some sand, so she thought it would be softer there. A little bit unwillingly, she placed her sleeping bag next to Ryo's. He was already leaning against the wall, eyes closed.

"Wanna sleep already?"

He looked up, surprise drawn on his handsome features.

"What makes you think that? I'm not lying down, am I?"

She smiled.

"Don't try that on me, Akiyama. You're always choosing some place from which you can overlook the whole terrain. Then you lean back at the wall which is principally always on your back, pull your legs up and sleep."

"Where do you know that from?"

That caught her off guard. She wouldn't, she couldn't say: 'Hey, didn't you notice that already? I'm always watching you in your sleep since you look so cute then.'

"Uum. in that summer we spent here, I was about to get some fire wood. There I saw you."

He wanted to ask why she had studied his position that interested, but that would only upset her.

Well, if I think about it once more, it's actually pretty nice having her upset on me. That usually ends with a VERY close situation these days.

But he kept his mouth shut though.

A/N Yeah, I know, that soul thing sounds weird, but hey, I'm just an insane little Ryuki fan that tried her best to create a nice story. I accept flames and anything else, but like I said before, please don't be too harsh on me. ^o~ And I'll try to be faster with my next chap, deal? Ciao!