A/N Hi, it's Angel13. After my last chapter, you all hate me, right?
**Most shake their heads**
Really?
**Nod**
That's good. I swore I was gonna get all flames for it I expected it and gomen for what happened.... **bows head in respect** I really am sorry.
Rika: Guess what? We have a new party planner. Introducing.... LaZyWrItEr!!!!!
LaZyWrItEr: We've already got a present idea. A trip to Korea no expenses paid and your own animated character for a fanfic about Digimon by me, and lots of fireworks. Plus, we've got everyone invited.
Angel: That's great. Now, I'm gonna do my part and you guys just plan. And, once again, gomen nasai for... well, what happened.
Summer Vacation: Home Again: Chapter 11
Ryo sighed as he tapped his fingers restlessly against the glass of the window. He lay sprawled on his bunk and rolled over again. He fought back the tears which fought to surface every now and then.
"Ryo?"
A red haired girl with lilac eyes sat on the bunk next to him.
."Do you think you're gonna ever be alright? I know it's hard but if you wanna talk about it, I'm here, you know that, right?"
Ryo forced a small smile.
"Thanks, Rika. I just don't feel like talking. To anyone. Sorry..."
Rika held up her hands.
"I understand better than you think. But, I'll leave you alone."
Rika hopped down from the bunk and went to talk to Henry. Kila's head popped up from the edge of his bunk, startling Ryo.
"Where... do you come from all the time?"
"Around, Akiyama, around."
Kila grinned widely but her face became sober one again.
"So, wanna talk?"
"You wouldn't understand, Kila. You just couldn't."
"I sure as hell could. I lost a parent too you know. Though I could never talk to anyone, I could always use a shoulder to cry on back then. Though I never had one of those either mind you, I still had my smile. Feels like you've lost your smile, doesn't it?"
Ryo looked at Kila, focusing on her eyes, which held a deep understanding and a certain sadness. But, determination always shown through more.
"Sure does feel like I may never smile or laugh again. I forget, you lost a lot, haven't you?"
Kila nodded.
"It may only get better depending on you."
"Depending on me?"
"Think about it. The only way you'll ever feel better is if you want to feel better. Don't let anyone else make you think otherwise. Now, I'm gonna go now. We've got another activity. Want me to tell Gina you don't wanna go and you want Rika here with you?"
"That would be great."
Kila grinned and spoke with Gina. In moments, Rika and Ryo were alone after hearing the slam of the door.
"So, Ryo, wanna do something? We could play the digimon card game, sit and talk, read, sleep..."
Rika tried to make conversation.
"Or you could just continue to stare at the window like a space case."
Ryo's attention snapped up.
"You say something?"
Rika sighed.
"Ryo, I'm only talking because I care and worry about you."
"Why should you care for some guy like me?"
"Ryo, I love you. I have feelings for you that I've never felt for anyone. At first, I wanted to shove the feelings I had felt for you in the back of a drawer but I couldn't hide the feelings anymore. And, it breaks my heart to see you so lost and confused."
Ryo shrugged.
"Thanks for caring, Rika."
Ryo's voice had no hint of sarcasm and a small sincere smile was on his face.
"I just want you to know I do care, Ryo."
Rika kissed his cheek. He blushed.
"Why do you keep looking at the gray sky, Ryo? Or is it the rain you're looking at?"
"Probably because of what my mom told me when I was younger."
Suddenly, he fell into flashback.
**Flashback**
"Ryo, sweetie, want Mommy to push you on the swing?"
"Yes, mommy! Please??? Pretty please with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and cherries on top?"
"How could I say no to such an adorable face? Of course, Ryo."
A 4 year old boy with clear blue cerulean colored eyes and perfectly neat but seemingly tousled brown hair sat on a swing, letting his mother push him.
"Tell me if I'm going too high, sweetheart!"
Julianna Akiyama began to push her son on a playground swing.
"Higher, Mommy, higher! I wanna touch the sky. Or better yet, heaven!!"
Julianna burst out laughing.
"Sweetie, I can't push you that high..."
"Try, Mommy, try!!!"
"Oh, alright."
Ryo went higher and higher with each push.
"Yay, this is the bestest ever!"
**End Flashback**
"Ryo, what did your mom tell you?"
Ryo felt tears beginning to seep through the walls he had formed to prevent anyone from seeing his tears.
"I-I-I... I can't tell you!! I can't, Rika, I'm sorry..."
Ryo took off through the door at amazing speed and fled into the pelting rain.
"Ryo! Come back!"
Rika sighed. It was useless, the storm was at its peak and even if Ryo did hear her, would he come back?
What did I do wrong?
***
Ryo sat under a tree, trying to escape the merciless pelting of the rain. He was soaked to the skin. But, nothing would make him go back. He wouldn't ever be better. His mom was gone. Because of him. His mother had died because of his stupidity and weakness.
C'mon, Ryo. Don't be illogical and stupid. You know you couldn't of done anything to save your mother.
A small voice said in his mind.
Stupid idiot, of course it's your fault. You're the one who couldn't stop Daemon and save that plane. Look what happened to innocent lives because of you. You're weak, stupid, and pathetic.
"Shut up, shut up! Everyone's against me. Even my conscience!!!"
Ryo shot off into the darkness of the woods, running as fast as he could.
***
Rika paced restlessly. The others had come back about 10 minutes ago and Ryo had been gone for about 20 minutes.
"Rika, stop pacing. You're gonna make a groove in the floor."
Kila sat propped up on a pillow, watching Rika pass the floor from her bunk above.
"I'm going to look for him. Cover for me, please?"
"Rika, it's like a torrential downpour out there! You want to drown?"
"Uh..."
"You'll be pelted to death. It's painful going through that rain!"
"But, Ryo needs me more than ever. I'm outta here. Cover for me and I'll make it up to you somehow! Bye!"
Kila sighed. She got down off her bunk.
"Gina, um, when do we get on the bus to leave tomorrow?"
"Well, Kila..."
Kila glanced over Gina's shoulder and saw Rika sneak outside quickly. Kila let out her breath which she had been holding in.
"Kila, what was that for?"
"Just enjoying the air in this cabin. It smells so...homey...heh heh..."
"Right, well, why don't you go with the others? I'm gong back to the main hall."
"Okay, bye!"
Gina rushed out into the storm and Kila let out another breath.
***
Rika jogged outside. Then she remembered.
How am I going to find Ryo? I am out here getting soaked through my sweatshirt and I'm on a wild goose chase. I might as well be looking for a flea in a dog stack.
***
(A/N My new phrase. Needle in a haystack I've never done. Now a flea in a dog stack I have..... Well, back to torrential rain pour. Wish we'd get some of that rain...
Rika: Yeah, Angel hasn't gotten rain. Her whole vicinity where she lives is on drought conditions. No rain...
Angel: Well enough on my weather rants)
***
Ryo panted. He was sweating and the rain was about as cold as ice.
"Hey buddy boy!"
"Impmon?"
"Right, pal. So, what are you doing walking in the rain?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Well, you didn't didja?"
"Well, truthfully, I think I'm trying to escape reality right now."
"What happened? You do something wrong?"
"It's something I didn't do, Impmon."
"Ah, well, come right out and say it!"
"That plane that crashed...my mom didn't make it..."
"Sorry to hear that. Hard with you humans. You're all so complicated. But, I can tell you cared for your mother a lot."
"But, it feels like it's my fault."
"Well, kiddo, it is not your fault. You did the best you could. "
Ryo looked at Impmon.
"How do you know?"
"Trust me, I've done some unforgivable things. And, it's all worked out for me. You may never recover from what happened with your mom but I know someday your wound will heal. Now, I'm all outta advice for you, buddy boy, toodles."
Impmon headed off.
"Wait, Impmon!"
Impmon turned.
"Yeah?"
"My name's Ryo."
"Well, bye, Ryo!"
Impmon disappeared into the darkness.
Maybe Impmon's right...
"Ryo! Ryo!"
Ryo looked to his right and in the distance he saw Rika.
"Hey, Wildcat!"
"Ryo!"
Rika finally caught up to him and panted.
"Oh, Ryo, I was worried."
Rika threw her arms around him but quickly pulled away. Ryo hugged her, his eyes filling with tears.
"Thanks, Rika, for coming after me."
They pulled apart and Rika wiped her face aimlessly on the back of her sweatshirt sleeve.
"Are those tears or am I hallucinating? I hear rain can do that to you."
"Well, pumpkin, I hear love can make you hallucinate and if we're both hallucinating over the same thing, I don't think it's hallucinations. Did that make any sense?"
"No, you are the most illogical person I know but I know what you meant. Oh, Ryo, I was worried. I thought that you'd get blown away for sure."
"You came out after me, wildcat? Only you would brave a storm to hunt down someone."
"I couldn't be anyone else."
"I actually ran into a friend of yours out here."
Rika looked at Ryo strangely.
"And who would that be?"
***
"Impmon? That's a surprise..."
Rika had listened to Ryo's story of his conversation with Impmon.
"He sure is smart. He gave me the best advice I could get."
"We'd better head back. Kila couldn't cause a diversion this long. I've been gone for at least an hour. But, I have no idea where we are."
Suddenly, Rika had an idea. She dug into the pocket of her sweatshirt and pulled out her digivice.
Hope Renamon's around.
The compass type thing appeared on Rika's digivice. It circled a few times and finally found it's target.
"Bingo!"
Rika grinned.
"What's up?"
Ryo glanced at Rika.
"Renamon..."
Ryo looked up to a low branch on a tree just in time to see the yellow fox materialize.
"Hello, Rika, Ryo."
"Hey."
"Renamon, Ryo and I are kinda lost... Do you sense like kids from camp or anything?"
"One moment."
Ryo blinked and it was as if Renamon had evaporated into thin air.
"Your partner disappear like that often?"
"Yeah..."
Renamon reappeared behind Rika and Ryo at that moment.
"Rika?"
Rika squealed and slipped in a puddle. Ryo grabbed her arm and held her up.
"Thanks, Ryo."
"I didn't mean to alarm you, Rika. I found where the camp is. We're about 8 miles southeast. I'll travel with you till we reach your camp. It'll be easier to navigate with the rain stopped at least although this woods doesn't help much either. Even though there's not much sunlight."
"Thanks, Renamon. Lead on."
Renamon gave a slight nod and Ryo, Rika, and Renamon headed northwest. After walking for about 20 minutes, Rika looked over at Renamon.
"How much farther now, Renamon?"
"Only a bit further. Only about another 45 minutes if we keep up at this pace."
"Well, we aren't getting far."
Rika pulled out her D-Arc and a modify card.
"Digi-Modify! Digivolution activate!"
"Renamon digivolve to... Kyubbimon!!!"
"Ryo, Rika, get on. And, Rika, better use a modify card to speed me up."
"Digi-Modiy! Hyperspeed activate!"
"That's more like it."
Kyubbimon took off and Ryo held firmly to Rika's waist.
"Kyubbimon, how long should it take us now?"
"Only about 20 minutes or so, Rika. Stop pestering me. It's enough to navigate through these trees without your constant talking."
"Sorry."
"Well, just you and Ryo keep it down."
Kyubbimon kept running, easily weaving through trees, bushes, and such.
***
"Here we go. We've arrived."
Kyubbimon dedigivolved to Renamon and blended in with the scenery as she usually did.
"Thank you, Renamon."
Rika looked to see a faint rustle and she knew Renamon had heard her.
"Pretty smooth ride."
Ryo commented.
"Of course. Kyubbimon is known for her speed."
"Well, let's get inside before anyone notices."
Rika and Ryo peeked into the window and saw Gina was not present and everyone was sitting around leisurely. They slipped inside.
"Well, well, well, where have you two been?"
"Shut up, Visor for brains! None of your business."
"Here, Rika, let's get you into dry clothes."
"Yeah, okay."
Rika and Kila headed to the bathroom and Rika changed into dry jeans and a white t-shirt. They then bumped into Ryo and Henry. Ryo had changed into a red t-shirt and khakis.
"Wanna go to the Mess Hall and get hot chocolates or something?"
"Sure, I'm game."
"Us too."
Henry and Kila linked hands and Ryo and Rika walked behind the couple, hands brushing as they walked.
"Kila and Henry are so sweet."
"I know, pumpkin."
Kila, Henry, Ryo, and Rika each got a cup of hot chocolate and seated themselves at a able, sipping their warm drinks. They glanced out the large windows and saw the rain come down in sheets. Rika jumped a bit when she saw the lightning tear through the sky.
"Scared, pumpkin?"
"Ha, me, scared?"
Another bolt went thorough the sky.
Rika jumped again.
"Well, maybe a little."
Ryo chuckled.
"So, Ryo, why'd you go into the rain like that? You could've gotten struck by lightning."
"Don't worry about me, Wildcat. You could've gotten struck too."
Rika and Ryo sat in silence while Kila and Henry made conversation from time to time. But Ryo and Rika held hands underneath the table that didn't go unnoticed by Henry and Kila.
***
The next morning, after exchanging e-mail addresses with Lina and promising to visit and come back next year and enjoying one last trail ride, Rika, Ryo, and all the other tamers were boarding the bus for home.
"Wanna sit by me, Ryo?"
Ryo was staring out into space.
"Earth to Akiyama. Come in Akiyama...over..."
"Oh, sorry, Rika. I was thinking..."
"About your mom, right?"
Rika slipped her hand into Ryo's. Ryo's eyes had begun to fill with tears. He closed his eyes and turned to the direction of the window.
"What did your mom tell you, Ryo?"
Ryo sat still for a moment.
"Ryo?"
**Flashback**
"Ryo, sweetie, I'm gonna swing you one more time. I'll push you as high as I can and when you get high enough, look up at the sky."
"Why, Mommy, why?"
"Cause you'll see heaven and your angel will be watching over you."
"Are you like an angel, Mommy? If you ever go away, will I see you if I push up high enough?"
"Yes, Ryo. I will watch for you from my place in the sky."
"I love you, Mommy."
"I love you too, sweetie."
After Ryo was done swinging, he and his parents at on a blanket in the park, enjoying their picnic lunch and Ryo's mother held Ryo in her arms and kissed his forehead.
"Mommy, please, don't ever leave me, okay?"
"I'll try not to, Ryo, I'll try."
"Promise? Pinky-swear?"
"I can't promise I will live forever, Ryo. But I will try and always be with you and your father."
"Thanks, Mommy."
**End Flashback**
"Ryo?"
"Yes, pumpkin?"
"Why do you look up in the sky lately? What did your mother tell you exactly?"
"Well, it might sound stupid..."
"No, it won't."
"Well, when I was 4, my mom told me that..."
"Told you what?"
Ryo looked away from Rika's piercing gaze.
"She told me that if I looked up in the sky I'd see her. I guess it's childish of me to think I'll actually see her but..."
"It's not silly, Ryo. Angels are all around us."
Rika placed a hand on Ryo's shoulder.
"Thanks, Rika."
"Anytime, Akiyama."
The two sat in near silence for the rest of the ride home.
Okay, I've decided that a) I'll be writing a few more chapters. b) I'll try and add more Ryuki next time 'round. c) I'll post the next chapter A.S.A.P.
Rika: Bye now! And remember to review!
