A/N Hola, cada uno! (If I am using this language in the wrong way, I apologize.)
For the non-knowing Spanish speakers, I bring forth greetings from the brain of Angel13. (That's me, right?)
Kazu: Well, we also have more news!
Rika: That's right! Angel13 is co-writing another Ryuki.
Ryo: The all amazing one is now uniting her forces with Gogglehead17 sometime soon!
Angel: **looks behind her** Where is this amazing one?
Ryo: You, silly!
Angel: **blushes** I'm amazing?
Henry: **winks and smiles broadly** You are really and truly amazing.
Angel: Wow, do I feel loved. Well, anyway, it's true. I'm going to be writing a few different fics. I will be starting a 4-way written one, a co-written one with Gogglehead17, and the co-written one with Fiery-chan (my one and only PiC)
Fiery: **nods and waves** HELLO!!! PUDDING CUPS!!!
Ryo, Rika, Henry, and Kazu: -_-'
Angel: Well, let's get this show on the road. I do own digimon so HA! So, all you who claim to own digimon, you don't! It belongs to me!!! **cell phone rings** Hello? Fiery? What? They are?!?!?! Oh, no! **hangs up phone** Gomen nasai, I was only kidding. Only kidding!! And thanks to those who actually liked my kazoos. I'm so pleased. I can start my own kazoo choir! I can see it now... **Gets stars in eyes** By the way, another LARGE thank you. We reached the big
1-5-0!!! On to the 200!!! (The thank yous to everyone will be at the end... It'll take up 1-2 pages most likely.)
Summer Vacation: You Want Me to Go Where?: Chapter 13
After Rika's troubling phone call, she, Ryo, Kila, and Henry went to the old-fashioned ice cream place at the time they had planned.
Rika stared into the depths of her hot fudge sundae.
"Rika, you haven't touched your sundae. Is everything okay?"
Ryo took a spoonful.
"Nothing's wrong with it. It must be something wrong with Rika."
Rika punched Ryo's arm but it wasn't playful. It seemed almost...sad.
"Hey, Pumpkin. C'mon. What's got you down?"
Rika glanced into the glass sundae dish.
"It's nothing."
Henry looked at his friend.
"Yeah, and a hurricane is blowing outside and pigs are flying. Rika, if something's bothering you, tell us."
Rika stirred the contents of her sundae till it was like soup and glared at Kila who had just spoke.
"Rika, your silence is really worrying me. Just spill."
Ryo was concerned about Rika. She was upset. She hadn't talked to him after she had hung up the phone. That would have been normal back when he had first met her and the other tamers told him how cold she once was but she was usually a bit sociable.
"Okay, okay. You wanna know why I'm so upset?!?!"
Rika was banging her fist on the table, causing her dish to shake.
The 3 other friends looked at her in surprise.
"Uh, yeah. If you don't mind."
Kila and Ryo agreed with Henry with a nod.
Rika sighed.
"The phone call I got before while you were over, Ryo..."
Rika trailed off and bit her lip.
What is wrong with me? They ARE my friends. Why can't I go right out and say it?
Kila reached over and patted Rika's arm and Ryo put an arm around Rika.
"It'll be okay, Wildcat. Just tell us. You're better off doing that then being quiet."
"Rika, if you don't tell, it may come and smack you upside the head later on."
Henry just smiled.
"Well, it was...it was my dad, okay?"
Kila and Henry looked worried and Ryo squeezed her hand gently. Everyone was silent.
"Are you...scared?"
Rika looked at Kila strangely.
"Of course I'm scared. I mean, my dad...He like left my life. Walked out of it way back when. It was 10 years ago for God's sake. And he just suddenly waltzes back in, expecting me to accept it?!?!"
Rika sighed.
"Well, did you talk to him?"
"No, Kila. I...I just hung up the phone. I guess I'm not ready to talk to him. Or forgive him. I know I was naive and all back then but just because I was 4 doesn't mean I didn't have the right to know! Plus, I'm like 14! Did it just hit him one day, "Oh, I have a daughter? Oh, surprise, surprise!!" Did he forget me?"
"No, Rika. How could anyone forget anyone as beautiful and as perfect as you?"
Rika blushed.
"Oooh! Ryo scored a two-pointer!"
Ryo blushed.
"Henry, I swear, one day your girlfriend is gonna have a talk with my fist."
"She gets it from Terriermon. His sarcasm is wearing off on her and not in a good way."
Kila snuggled next to Henry.
"But, I'm much cuter, right?"
Henry blushed and gave her a peck on the head.
"Well, I think Terriermon may win the cute award with his Princess Pretty Pants treatment..."
Kila pouted and Ryo and Henry burst into laughter.
"Rika, I think you should call your father. Maybe you should sit and talk. Or, maybe your mom."
"I'm supposed to go to a fashion shoot. More mother and daughter togetherness. I'll try and put in a word there..."
"Hey, kids. Are you gonna leave sometime tonight?"
The waitress stood by the counter, which was near the table the four friends were seated at.
"Uh-"
Rika began to answer but Kila interrupted.
"Excuse me, mam. But, we bring you service and we always pay. If you don't want our business, we'll take it elsewhere. Ask the manager. We're here a lot. And we always have more than two people."
"Well, I never... What a firecracker. Well, pay up and get your buns outta here. It's 11:30. Your parents will be worried."
"Thanks, mam. Hope to see you again!"
Kila and the others threw out the money to pay for the bill and headed outside.
"You guys can stay over if you want. Or maybe tomorrow night. I can use some moral support when I talk to my mom."
"I can stay over."
"I can't. I'm supposed to baby-sit Suzie tomorrow morning. Call me and maybe I can stay over tomorrow night."
"Me either. I'm being with my dad more. We've been having a lot of talks and we're planning Mom's funeral."
"Okay, well, Rika, I'll run home and be back in 15, okay?"
"Okay."
Kila and Henry headed inside to collect Terriermon and headed to Kila's home.
Ryo and Rika stood outside of Rika's house but inside the gates of her home.
"So, wanna share anything with me that you couldn't share with them?"
"Oh, Ryo, I'm scared. He just popped outta of nowhere. I wonder where he is."
"Your mom will know. Don't worry about it, Pumpkin."
They sat down on the section of Rika's house that was open.
"So, you know you can tell me anything at all."
"Yes, Ryo. And I love you for it."
"Well, better be going home. I've gotta feed Monodramon."
Rika kissed him slowly on the lips.
"Thanks, Akiyama."
"That's what I'm here for."
He gave her a kiss on the forehead and left through the gates.
Rika went into her house and began to straighten up her room a bit. She was retrieving the locket Ryo had recently given her when she found another locket. It was a bit faded a few of its spirals starting to blend in with the dullness of it. Rika couldn't place the locket's origin. It looked ancient. She went to open it and saw the clasp was broken. Rika grumbled. She would have to find something to open it with.
"Rika, I'm back!"
Kila popped her head in Rika's room. Rika dropped the locket quickly.
"Rika, you dropped somethin-"
Kila held up the locket by its delicate chain and Rika snatched it away. She took it with utmost care and placed it on her bureau.
"I've seen lots of strange behavior but that takes the cake. Well, since it must be "private" I'll let it be. Awwww.... Is this the locket Ryo gave you?"
Rika blushed and nodded.
"It's beautiful. It's like his mom knew you. Didn't you ever notice how exact this purple is to your eyes? It's nearly if not exactly the same color."
Rika nodded.
"Anyway, how do you feel about hearing from your dad?"
"How would you feel after not hearing from your dad for like forever?"
"I'd feel wonderful. I would've missed him a lot. That was, if I would've been lucky enough to get a phone call from him."
"Oh my gosh, I-..I'm so sorry! I'm being so insensitive!"
"Rika, it's okay."
"But, I forgot all about your situation. With your dad and everything..."
"Look, Rika, it's in the past. I loved my dad and my sister more than anything in the entire world. They were my sunshine in my darkest days. I miss her so bad. And my dad was the best father I could've ever had. I just wish he was still alive. You would've loved my dad, Rika. He was such a kind and caring person. I guess that's why the woman in the house that calls herself my mother never remarried."
Rika nodded sympathetically.
"Do you think you have siblings? Or a step mom?"
"Oh my gosh! I never even thought of that! Do you think my dad got all married? Maybe he never wanted me and got married and is happy without me."
"Rika, both you and I know that isn't true. If it were, he never would've called you. I say we do some snooping, see if your mother has anything like phone numbers."
"And I need something to open this locket."
"Oh, the clasp is broken. We just need something to open it with."
Rika and Kila changed into pajamas. Rika changed into a royal blue t-shirt and shorts set. Kila changed into a pale blue pajama short set with a pair of angel wings on the front of the tank top and within the wings said 'I BELIEVE' in silver
script and the shirt was a very pale blue. They walked down the hallway in silence. They went into Rika's mother's study. Kila slid the door shut and turned on the light.
"Your mother's pretty neat. Everything has it's own place."
"Just find something. Stuff must be in her filing cabinets."
Rika looked in the top drawer and found a key. She opened the filing cabinet. She looked through some manila colored folders.
"Found something."
Kila came over to look. In it were some older pictures of her mother and father and some information of her father's last known whereabouts in Japan.
"This isn't much. Keep looking. I'll get online and see if I can find any info on your dad."
"Okay, you can try. I'll keep looking."
Rika put the file back and Kila connected to the Internet. Kila made a few searches and Rika riffled through papers and more folders. Kila had just stumbled onto something and Rika was beginning to read it when the door opened the slightest bit. Rika gulped and they heard a sad sigh.
"We gotta hide."
Kila shut off the computer, after saving the information she found to a disc. Rika quickly began putting the papers away and Kila ducked into the closet that is in the back of the room. Rika put the folders into their rightful places and the door slid open more and Rika dove under the desk after shutting off the light.
Rumiko entered her study and turned on the light on the desk. She sighed heavily.
"Why does he keep calling us? I don't want a part of him and I hope Rika doesn't. It would break my heart if she chose me over him."
Rika's eyes began to tear. Her mom loved her so much.
"I know Haruki will want to see her. But, he lives in America. If Rika were to leave and go live with him and live in America, I don't know what I would do. Oh, well, he better not call again."
Rumiko sat at the desk; Rika wriggled out of the way of her mother's legs. Rumiko picked up a picture frame and smiled at it. The picture was the year before family picture. Rika was sitting on a riser in a studio with a bluish-gray background and Rumiko was on her left and her mother was on the right, both resting a hand on Rika's shoulder. Rika's usual scowling face was one with a slight smile. Rumiko kissed the photo lightly.
"I love you, Rika. Please, don't ever leave me."
With that, Rumiko turned off the light and left the room. Rika came out from under the desk and Kila came out of her hiding spot as well. She took the disc out of the computer's hard drive.
"Well, let's get to your room."
Rika nodded but doubted Kila saw her in the darkness and they scooted out of the room but not before Rika glanced at her mother's desk. In the pale blue moonlight, Rika saw the picture and remembered that day too well.
((Flashback))
"Rika Nonaka, you come out here this minute!"
"I am not coming out for pictures. I know you have a pink and frilly dress waiting and it can wait for the next millennium."
"Rika! If you don't come out here this minute, you won't get money for 3 months."
Rika grumbled. She needed money to buy her digimon cards. Rika left her clothes on. She wasn't getting all "pretty" for pictures. Rika marched down the hall and stood before her mother defiantly, arms crossed over her chest and glaring at her mother. Rika's mother's face began to redden with rage.
"Rika, those clothes are not acceptable. Change right now!"
Rika shook her head.
"I will not. What's wrong with these?"
Rika had on her dark denim jeans, folded at the bottom with 2 belts wrapping around her left thigh and a belt around her waist. She had on a white t-shirt with turquoise colored sleeves and a dark blue broken heart in the center. She had red wristbands on and a yellow scarf was tied around her neck. Her hair was in its trademark spiky ponytail with a few strands on each side hanging outside of the ponytail. Her red sneakers with the silver plates lay near the door.
"Rika, if you do not change, you will be grounded without any privileges. You can either come and get yourself presentable looking for a picture or you will be grounded."
"Either I go in these clothes or I won't come at all."
Rika's arms remained folded across her chest. Rumiko let out a sign of defeat.
"Okay, Rika. You can go like that. Well, let's get your grandmother and head to the studio."
Rika sighed. She had better be getting something out of this deal.
***
"No, Rika baby, I want some class, a smile, a smirk is even better than this pouty look you're giving me."
Stupid Coco the annoying photographer.
"Rika..."
Rika sighed and she stopped rolling her eyes but her frown remained. Rika sat on a riser so she was sitting and about shoulder height with her mother and grandmother who were standing behind her. Rumiko gave a defeated sigh. Rika would never listen.
"Rika, please, smile. I want to be able to show people my granddaughter without a frown."
Rika's grandmother gave Rika a squeeze on the shoulder. Rika's frown turned into a small smile. Not a large one but it was genuine.
**SNAP**
Rika's smile immediately turned into a frown.
"Can we go now?!"
"Of course, Rika. You can go now."
Rika got off the riser and tore outside, breathing in the fresh air and not the "studio air." She couldn't stand it in studios. She felt like she was being suffocated.
I'm going to avoid torture like that at all costs. For good.
Rika vowed to herself silently and continued down the street, shuffling, ignoring all the "goggleheads" of the world.
They have no clue of how the world really turns.
Rika often thought bitterly of the carefree and joyful goers throughout the Shinjuku streets.
Disgusting goggleheads.
"Hey, aren't you the Digimon Queen?"
"You need your eyes checked, Corey."
"But that's her. I swear."
Rika closed her eyes and spoke harshly.
"Don't talk to me. Your teeny brains couldn't understand digimon cards if you tried. Later, goggleheads."
Rika stormed into the direction of her home.
Sickening, disgusting goggleheads.
((End Flashback))
"Hello, Rika?"
Rika snapped back from her memory.
"Sorry, Kila."
Kila rolled her eyes. They went into Rika's room and shut the door. Kila put the disc into the Rika's computer and began to read the info. Rika got bored and began to doze when Kila whooped triumphantly, waking up Rika who had dozed off 10 minutes earlier.
"What now?"
"Rika, this information has your dad's current location. He's living in Daytona, Florida."
(A/N Making this up as I go along. If you know Rika's father's name and location, send it and I will fix this "error" and as I usually say, "Don't flame for the unknowing!")
"Florida?"
"Yes. But that's about as far as I can go. I'm exhausted. Let's go to sleep."
Rika agreed and both were asleep in minutes.
***
The next morning, Rika and Kila both woke groggily. Both were still tired from the night before. While eating a delicious breakfast of chocolate chip waffles, Rumiko smiled at Rika.
"Rika, you remember the photo shoot you promised you'd go to, don't you?"
"Yes, mom. I could never possibly forget."
"Kila, would you be interested in coming along? I know you modeled before. I've seen your face on a few Japanese magazines and a few American ones."
Kila looked at her partially full plate of waffles.
"Yeah, I've done some modeling."
"Well, you must come. If you are uncomfortable modeling, you can just watch Rika."
"Um, okay. Sounds...fine."
Kila and Rika finished eating and headed to the studio with Rumiko.
"Well, Rumiko, it's wonderful to see you. And you have, Rika, very good too. And who may I have the pleasure in meeting?"
"This is Rika's friend, Kila Akihabara."
Kila nodded.
"Do you model as well?"
"Well, I-"
"She's modeled. She's in teen magazines for America and Japan."
"Well, I would love to try you out."
Kila sighed.
"Jennifer, take Rika and Kila to get their wardrobe and make-up done."
They followed Jennifer and Kila let out a huge sigh.
"What's up?"
"I quit modeling. I didn't like it."
"Well, bear with it for me, please? This is torture for me but sometimes it has its perks."
Kila sighed but nodded and Jennifer smiled.
"Well, Rika, I know how much you hate dresses, so I got you some skirts and a couple pairs of pants. They are a bit girly but it was the best I could do. Your mother insists on pink stuff a lot."
Rika sighed.
"I know, Jenni."
"By the way, Kila, call me Jenni. Everyone else does. And it's with an 'i' not a 'y', okay, Kila?"
"Okay, Jenni with an 'i'."
Jenni smiled.
"Well, what's your style? Dresses and skirts or more of a pants and shorts type."
"Whatever works."
"Well, let's start you in sundresses. It's the look for summer."
Kila sighed.
"Okay."
After millions of different poses, about 20 rolls of film, and a thousand different outfits, the photographer called it a day.
Rika and Kila changed out of their last outfit and back to their own clothes.
"Well, girls, how bout we do lunch?"
Rika and Kila could say nothing as Rumiko left the studio, the girls walking quickly to keep up.
As they were seated in a fancier restaurant and ordered their food, Rika looked at her mom.
"Mom, I've been wondering. Where does Dad live? Like, if he ever tried to contact me and wanted me to visit him, where would I be going if I agreed?"
"He lives in the United States in Florida I believe."
"Oh..."
Kila watched and listened intently.
"Would you want to live with your father in Florida?"
"No, I want to stay here where my whole life is."
Rumiko smiled.
"That's good to hear."
The lunch seemed especially quiet and after, Rika and Kila went back to Rika's, Rumiko had explained she had to run a few errands.
As soon as Rika got inside, the phone rang.
"Hello, Rika, speaking."
"Rika, sweetheart, don't hang up this time. It's your father. I want you to come and stay with me. In Daytona in Florida."
"For how long?"
"Only as long as you want. You and I can spend some time together and..."
"We can pretend nothing happened like you abandoning Mom and me?"
"Rika, I only did it because..."
"Look, I don't want any lame excuses. I'm fine right here where I've been for the last...oh, let me see, 10 years!"
"Rika, if you refuse to come, I will take this to court. I have custody over you, Rika. Whether you refuse to come or not. I just want to see you."
"Why don't you talk this over with my mother? Goodbye, Father!"
Rika slammed the phone down. She wanted to collapse into tears but wouldn't.
The phone rang again and Rika glared daggers at it.
Be happy, phone. If you were a living, breathing object, you have been dead with this glare...
Kila looked at Rika strangely and picked up the phone.
"Hello, Nonaka residence. Oh, hey, Ryo! Yeah, Rika's here."
Rika took the phone.
Kila quietly left the room, causing Rika to roll her eyes.
"Hi, Ryo."
"Hi, Pumpkin. What's up?"
"Nothing, Ryo. My dad called again. He said he's got custody over me and might make me visit him in the United States."
"That's horrible, Rika. I don't want you to leave. This funeral's gonna be hard enough. Without you, it will be the worst."
Rika felt like crying.
"Oh, Ryo, I love you. I wish Daemon and his goons had never come and that event never took place. I'll do everything to stay, okay?"
"Thanks, Rika. Well, I'll come over, okay?"
"Okay, Ryo. Call Wong and invite him over. Us four can spend some friend time together, okay?"
"Yeah, We'll spend all day and all night at your house, okay, Wildcat?"
"Okay, Akiyama."
"Bye."
Rika hung up the phone and went into the living room where Kila was watching TV.
"Ryo and Henry coming over?"
"Yup."
"Your dad called?"
"Yes."
"Well, that's not good. I hope your mom can straighten things out."
"Me too. Me too."
"Well, let's wait for Henry and Ryo. We'll figure out something, Rika. Don't worry."
A/N Another cliffie!! I'm getting good at this. But, I am extending the time before Rika travels..... You figure out where she's going. Cause I already know! But, I'm feeling sick....Quite sick. Leave a get well note...or even beter, just leave a review. And before i forget...
Rika: You forget everything!
Henry: Don't pick on, Angel, Rika.
Rika: Defending your girl again, Wong?!
Ryo: I'd defend you all the same.
Angel: Eh-hem, thanks to: !@#*cRAZY_kAZU_fAN*#@!, bluebird161221, Ryo, DarkShadow9247, Ryo Crimson, Fiery-chan, The Biggest Dreamer, Akino Ame, Mystical Elf, digi-girl, Kail Matria Akiyama or KMA, Little Birdie, Digi Girl, Lady Espelle, angelic dreams, Axel Sregor, DigiFreak103, Hoobastanker, and Gogglehead17.
Note as well: There will be 4-5 chapters before the 1-2 chapter epilogue. I'm not in a rush to end.
Lots of Love and May God Bless,
Angel13/Watery
P.S. I've become a elemental. **read Fiery-chan's ficcies to understand.**
