A/N (((enters room))) Hi everyone, please r/r
Rika: Disclaimer: No one owns me or digimon except Toei and Saban and whoever else.
A/N Right.....
Summer Vacation: Would You Hit a Girl? :Chapter 4
Rika sat in the infirmary. The nurse clucked her tongue.
"Kids these days....I never had so many kids in and out over injuries. I do wonder, do kids have any sense these days? Running in the woods alone and in the dark.... Well, you just bruised your ankle slightly, dear. I'll just wrap it and you can go back to your cabin. I suggest you don't participate in any strenuous activities for about 6 days and see me after those 6 days. Is that clear?"
Rika rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, whatever. Can I go?"
The nurse sighed.
"So reckless. Let me wrap your ankle and then I will get someone to accompany you back."
The nurse left Rika on a cot and went for some gauze. She returned in minutes.
"Now, come back after showering so I can put on fresh gauze."
The nurse turned after she had wrapped Rika's ankle.
"Ai, ai, Captain!"
Rika rolled her eyes and did a military salute.
"What was that?"
Rika looked up innocently.
"I didn't say anything."
"Well, two of your friends from your cabin are waiting outside."
The nurse went to help Rika and Rika had to fight the urge to slap away this assistance.
"I.. am.. fine... by.. myself."
"Of course you are."
The nurse spoke absentmindedly and continued to help Rika. Rika pulled away and walked as fast as her ankle would allow. Outside, Ryo and Kila were waiting.
"Get me outta here. Fast! This nurse is weird."
Rika put an arm over Ryo's strong shoulder and the trio departed quickly. They walked to the cabin and as Kila walked ahead, keeping watch, Ryo spoke with Rika softly.
"Uh, your ankle okay?"
"Yeah. I can't do anything though. The nurse said, '"nothing strenuous for 6 days, blah blah blah blah."' So I'm gonna be alone for awhile."
Ryo heard the note of sadness and loneliness in Rika's voice. They entered the cabin and Ryo helped Rika to her bunk. Ryo changed into his t-shirt and shorts and went to his bunk. As the lights shut off, all of the others went to sleep. Ryo lay with his hands behind his head, thinking. Rika always sounded so lonely.
After dinner the next day, Gina announced that the evening activity was arts-and-crafts.
"Rika, if you don't feel up to it, you can stay here."
"Okay, Gina."
"I'll stay with her. Rika, you could use some company, right?"
Ryo threw her a grin.
"What do you think you're..."
Rika hissed.
"Oh, that is awfully nice of you, Ryo. You can stay. Everyone else, forward to the A and C cabin."
They followed Gina out the door reluctantly.
"See you later, guys."
Ryo sat down on Gina's empty bunk.
"I hope you don't mind I stayed to keep you company."
"Sure, I bet you just didn't want to go to the A and C cabin. Glad I don't have to go there."
"Rika... I wanted to spend time with you..."
Ryo trailed and bit his lip. He had said too much. Rika sat in silence on her bunk. Rika stood and limped over to the bunk. She sat next to Ryo.
"Why would you wanna spend time with a riff-raff like me?"
"I just do. I mean..."
"Shh..."
Rika placed a finger to Ryo's lips and blushed.
"Sometimes, things are best when words aren't spoken."
Ryo nodded.
"So, wanna have a digimon card battle? We can just play for fun. We don't always have to be so competitive with each other."
Ryo looked at Rika.
"Sure. Where your cards? I'll get them so you don't have to get up."
"My backpack, front zipper compartment."
Ryo went over to Rika's backpack and got out Rika's deck. He got his own and went back to the bunk. They began their game. After two hours, Rika was winning and it was Ryo's turn.
"Just go already. Are you that afraid to make your last move and bruise your rather large ego?"
"Shut-up, Rika."
"What, did I hurt your pride? Guess the all great Digimon King isn't so great if the Digimon Queen can beat him, eh, Ryo?"
Ryo studied his cards. He had about nothing.
"Uh,"
His eyes darted from his cards and the card he had in play.
"Uh... fine, you win..."
"Finally, you admit it."
"If you weren't hurt, I'd smack you."
"Why not smack me? I'd send you into next week if you did. Or are you just afraid?"
"Rika..."
"C'mon, Ryo. I bet you just don't wanna hit a girl!"
Ryo didn't know what happened, he just snapped. He slapped her across the face.
"Oh my God, I am so sorry. I didn't mean..."
Rika held up her hand.
"I'm so sorry... Are you okay?"
Rika stood and limped over to her bunk and lay on her bunk. She got her book and buried her nose into a strategy book.
"Rika? Can I at least talk to you? You don't have to get all emotional..."
Rika sat up in bed fast.
"Excuse me? Since when did I get all emotional?"
Rika slammed her book down on the bed.
"Fine, let's talk."
"Rika. cool down. I was just thinking..."
"Well, guess what? You thought wrong. First, you bug the hell outta me the first day on the bus. Now, I'm just joking about you being a pacifist and you smack me! Just in case I was happening to think of you as my friend, you smack me!"
"Rika, you were getting on my nerves and I didn't mean to slap you..."
"Look, I don't want any of your dumbass phony excuses. Just leave me the hell alone."
Rika threw herself down on the bed and rolled over.
"Rika, I'm sorry."
Rika took her pillow and put it over her head.
"Rika..."
"Ryo, two words of advice. Shut. Up."
"Rika, I-"
"Hey guys!"
Kazu burst through the door. The others trooped in behind him.
"Hi, Rika. Hey, Ryo."
"Hi, Takato."
Ryo forced a smile. Rika tugged a pillow over her head harder.
"Okay....."
"Takato, Rika just doesn't feel good..."
"Excuse me, Ryo, who put you in charge of answering for me?! I'm fine, Gogglehead! Okay?! Why does everyone care so much?!!!"
Takato looked uncomfortable and sat down on his bunk. He and Kazu engaged in a digimon card battle while Kenta watched.
"Rika?"
Someone placed a hesitant hand on her shoulder. Rika snapped up.
"Oh, Jeri. What?"
"Are you okay? Did something happen?"
"I'm fine!!!!!!! Why does everyone care?"
"Because we're your friends, Rika. And friends care about one another."
Rika sighed and shut her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
"Rika, can I talk to you?"
"What is it, Akihabara?"
"Are you alright? Rika, you're my closest friend and I'm worried. What did Ryo say?"
Rika's eyes snapped open in surprise.
"How do you know this has something to do with Ryo?"
Rika looked suspicious and raised a brow.
"Duh, because we left and you were fine and we're back and you're mad and the only one here to upset you is Ryo."
Rika pouted.
"Are you sure you don't read minds or something?"
"Positive. I don't read minds. I swear."
"Then you're psychic or something."
"Rika, look, I swear. I am not a psychic. Or mind reader. I just know cause I'm logical. And I observe the facts."
"Then you're just like Henry."
Kila was glad Rika couldn't see her face in the dark cause she was blushing.
Another new fact about Henry.
"Rika..."
Kila was interrupted by the disturbing sound of Kazu and Kenta's snoring.
"What, Kila?"
"Your foot hurt you still?"
"Not as much. Now, my cheek hurts."
"Where Ryo slapped ya?"
"Yeah. I thought he liked me."
"Rika, I never knew you cared."
"Well, guess what? I do."
"He likes you. Henry told me."
"What are you and Henry? Joined at the hip?"
"Where'd you get that ridiculous idea from?"
Rika sighed.
"Did you know you are hopeless?"
"No, I'm not. I only am if I want to be."
Rika sighed heavily.
"I'm not gonna continue with this conversation. It's liking conversing with my mother over her type of clothes, dresses, and my type of clothes, jeans."
"Dresses aren't bad. Skirts aren't either."
"Oh please, if you were forced into modeling when you wanted to be with your friends, would you like them?"
"Well, first of all, my mother never really cared about me. Two, I'd probably escape with my friends."
"Well, lucky you."
Rika sighed as she tossed in bed. She heard Kila shift above her.
"Good night, Rika. I'm exhausted."
"From what?"
"Never mind. I'm going to bed, alright?"
"Good night then."
Rika waited until she heard the soft breathing of Kila. It was so quiet Rika would've been able to hear a pin drop. She shifted in her bed, opened and closed her eyes. She was almost so desperate that she was about to count sheep. She groaned and got out of bed. She made her way to the door and it seemed her path was clear when she tripped and fell. She cursed inwardly. She squinted and saw a shaky outline of a ball of some sort.
Probably Kazu's... or Ryo's....
Rka opened the door and slipped out into the night. But, a shadow seemed to be watching her unnoticed.
"Renamon?"
Rika had no idea why she was even calling for Renamon. There was nearly no chance Renamon would even hear her.
"Rika?"
The yellow fox-like creature appeared in a tree overhead.
"Renamon? What are you doing here?"
"Watching you. Are you okay, Rika? Is anything troubling you?"
Renamon jumped from the tree and landed silently on the ground and walked to where Rika was standing.
"It's pitch black out here. How can you see me?"
"Rika, I have sharper senses then you could imagine as well as having night vision."
"Oh."
Suddenly, the full moon became visible from behind a cloud and Rika was bathed in moonlight. Her shoulder length hair gleamed in the sun.
"Renamon, remember how you said we can choose our own destinies?"
"Yes, of course."
"Can we change them as well?"
"I suppose. In some circumstances."
"Like, can you change the way a person feels about you?"
"Yes, our actions have a lot to do with that. For example, did you ever hate someone after an argument and love them before it?"
Rika simply nodded.
"Rika, are you upset? Did someone hurt you?"
"Not really."
Renamon and Rika continued to talk and unseen, the cabin door remained open ed a crack and someone peered out.
"Rika, you can tell me if something is bothering you."
Rika sighed.
"Something is bothering me. Feelings are bothering me. People are bothering me."
Rika paused and hesitated. Finally, she got the courage to press on.
"Renamon, do you... do you think..."
"Do I think what, Rika?"
"Do you think Ryo likes me?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I guess I sort of like him as a friend and I think he hates me."
"Why would anyone hate you, Rika?"
"Some people do."
"I don't. And, I'm sure Ryo doesn't either."
The door slid shut and Renamon heard the door and looked over in that direction.
"Renamon, what is it?"
"I felt something."
"Maybe it was the wind."
"The wind doesn't do that."
Rika yawned.
"I'm tired, Renamon. Do you watch me every night?"
"You have many questions tonight, Rika. But, yes, I watch over you because you are my partner."
"Oh, I see. Well, good night, Renamon."
"Good night, Rika."
Rika turned and walked to the door and paused. She heard a soft whistle of wind and nothing more for Renamon had already vanished into the night. Rika slipped inside and everyone seemed to be asleep. Rika crept into her bed and burrowed under the covers and slept. But, Rika didn't know Ryo had been the one at the door and he had heard every single thing.
Ryo turned on his flashlight under the covers. He took out an un-opened letter he had received at mail call at breakfast. He slit it easily with his Swiss army pocketknife. Ryo sighed as he read it to himself. It was in his mother's neat handwriting.
(A/N, I don't know much about Ryo and his family. I don't know much about his parents. So, if there are errors for some who do know his family better than I, please don't flame for the reason of unknowing.)
Ryo,
I hope you are enjoying your time at camp. I wish we had been together this year, sweetie, as you have always wanted during the summer but my work permits me from seeing you often. I hope you and your father are well and your father writes that you and he are planning on moving to Shinjuku in Japan. I am still in the exciting wonder of Paris, France. I may be moved soon to Madrid, Spain or London, England. I often wish that journalism didn't keep me away from my loving boy and my wonderful husband. I hope you and your father are getting along well at home, sweetheart. If you ever have problems, I'm only a click away on the internet. I hope you brush up on your languages, such as French, Spanish, and English. If you ever visit me, you would want to be familiar with the language. So, farewell until I see you again. I look at our most recent family photograph and think of you and your father always. Odaijini, Ryo. I want you to watch out for yourself. I want to see my son in one piece.
Ravu,
Mom
P.S. I will have you and Dad visit me as soon as possible. I hope my Japanese isn't too choppy. Ciao!
Ryo re-folded the letter. He loved letters from his mom. Every now and then it was a hastily scribbled postcard but mostly it was letters. And, now, besides missing his mom, he had time to wonder about Rika. What was it with Rika? She can be so happy and sweet in one minute and angry and hateful the next. Ryo sighed.
I guess I don't know about her as she doesn't know about me.
Ryo's head hurt from over thinking so much. He decided he might as well just sleep on it.
Good night, Mom. I hope life's peachy in France.
Ryo sighed and went to sleep.
Japanese Translation:
Odaijini- Take care of yourself
Ravu- love
A/N I kno, I kno, there was no Ryuki in there.
Crowd: ((Throws tomatoes and miss Angel.))
A/N Gee, was it that bad.
((Pointy and sharp objects begin to fly @ Angel's head))
A/N Hey! Do you have any idea what you're doing? You could really hurt someone!
((Silence and more objects get closer to the target))
A/N I guess so. Wait, I'll work harder next time, okay?
((The flying items cease))
Crowd: If you don't...
((Flaming arrows and knives are thrown at Angel))
A/N Okay, I get it, I get it. Don't go all violent on me.
((Knives are thrown again))
A/N Wait, if you kill me now, you won't be able to see if I do better.
((Crowd leaves, grumbling about Angel being right))
A/N I swear I'll do better.
