Blast: This is the second chapter. Well, my dog nominated Aline Cedrac, but my sparrows (a good 20 sparrows) wanted Jill Valentine. So Ms. Valentine it is!

Jill: Um, hello?

Blast: I brought someone you might want to kill. (points at the backstage, where Nemesis is chained)

Jill: HIM! (Takes out her shot gun and began shooting)

Blast: Woah! Don't fret, Ms. Valentine! He's just a decoy.

Jill: Huh?

Blast: The true guy is (points at one of the audience) THERE!

Guy at the audience: AAHHHH!

(Jill shoots) (G.A.T.A. dies)

Blast: Okay. I was wrong. Jill, mind telling the disclaimer, because I have the urge to unlock that supplies chamber with a T-virus in it.

Jill: What?! (Looks at Blast weirdly) Okay. Blast doesn't own Digimon. And she doesn't own me. She's sticking with Capcom because she's in love with -!

(Blast had covered her mouth)

Blast: Thank you so much, Miss Valentine! Ryuki for this chappie!

~~

CHAPTER II: WORDS

~~

~~ FIVE IN THE AFTERNOON: (ANTI SPOILER) A CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD ~~

The two stopped running by the time they reached a corner signifying that they are away from the crazy, demented fangirls, both panting.

Rika faced Ryo angrily. "You do not do such a thing to me again, you hear me, Akiyama!"

Even though he was still panting, Ryo grinned, a very mischievous one. "Did what, wildcat?"

Rika's face crumpled in annoyance. "Watch it, wildcat, your face might get stuck that way." Ryo warned, still grinning.

"Another word, out of you Akiyama, and my fist meets your face." Rika said threateningly. "Now where the hell am I?" Hearing no response from the brunette, she turned sharply to him. "Hello? I'm talking to you."

"You said not to talk, or you punch me." Ryo replied, regaining his composture and began walking away to another direction. When he sensed that the redhead didn't follow him, he turned a head. "What? Are you going to stand there all day?"

"Where am I?" she asked, eyes narrowing. Ryo yawned and placed his arms on the back of his head and started walking again.

"You follow me, and you'll know the answer to that silly question of yours." He answered. Knowing Rika, she'd probably kick him. "I thought you've ventured all your neighborhood already."

Rika take another look around her surroundings, and it all became familiar to her. Stupid her for asking such a dumb question. But why would Akiyama bring her here? "And where do you think you're going?"

Oh, she's tough, Ryo mused as he continued walking without answering her. "Follow if you're curious, wildcat."

After a few minutes of walking side by side, Ryo suddenly stopped. Rika wondered why, and saw him standing in front of a house. And, much to Rika's surprise, Cyberdramon was standing on the roof. Blinking for a few seconds, she turned to Ryo.

"Welcome." Was the only word that came out of Ryo, and walked towards the house. "Cyberdramon, come down. Rika came and said hello."

Cyberdramon went down, and faced his Tamer and the redhead behind him. Rika acknowledged him with a subtle nod.

"Do you want to come in?" Ryo asked. "Renamon might want something to eat."

Rika raised an eyebrow. But she agreed anyways. "Renamon!"

The yellow fox digimon appeared beside her Tamer. Looking at her partner, she passed on the looks that say, 'Getting soft, are we, Rika?'

Rika returned the look with a frown. 'I don't think so.'

~~ FIVE THIRTY IN THE AFTERNOON: AKIYAMA RESIDENCE ~~

Seated in the spacious mahogany dinner table, The four began eating. Ryo's dad had work that day, and he wouldn't return until evening. It was still daylight, so Rika didn't refuse. Besides, the house wasn't that bad. Quite a modern home, not unlike her place which was probably built quite a long time ago.

"I haven't heard much from the others." Ryo started, munching on his sandwich. He had prepared coleslaw and bacon sandwiches for everyone, and also took some drink packs for Renamon and Cyberdramon. (AN: Don't even ask as to how Cyberdramon managed to get inside the house.) (YAN: Don't ask why Cyberdramon is there. I haven't finished watching the whole series)

"They're still the same." Rika answered, eating her food cautiously, as if it had poison or something. "Although I could tell that Takato and Jeri are getting close that someone might mistake them for brother and sister, which you know is not true."

"Those two are obvious." Ryo added. He smiled inwardly adding, 'And so are we.'

"Yeah." Rika smiled. "Henry and Suzy are doing fine. Henry is already helping out with his father. Suzy, well, she is growing out of her childish acts. The group would regularly meet at Guilmon's hideout."

"As the last I've heard." Ryo said. He looked at his drink, as if refusing to drink. "And Kazu and Kenta?"

Anger boiled inside the Ice Queen. "Don't even ask."

"I understand." Right now, Ryo knew that something must've happened that set Rika off. Just like the first time they've met at the world of gears. "Let me guess, Kazu said something that made you nearly kill him, right?"

"Right on, Pretty Boy."

The brunette chuckled. Rika glared at him, and shakes her head with a wry smile on her face. Ryo then had a bright idea that he knew Rika wouldn't say no to.

"Hey Rika?"

The redhead turned to him, just as she finished her sandwich. "Yeah?"

Ryo grinned and raised a card. The same grin went out of Rika, as she knew the older boy is demanding a card battle. "You're on!"

They cleared the table and prepared their decks. Renamon and Cyberdramon chose to be spectators, as they've rarely seen their partners on a battle with each other. "A very interesting battle indeed." As Renamon said.

~~ SIX IN THE EARLY EVENING: AKIYAMA RESIDENCE ~~

The game passed by with rounds that they alternately won. Right now, they are face with the final battle, which was getting excited. Ryo looked at his last set, hoping that a miracle that Rika doesn't have what he knew she have.

But Lady Luck decided to stick with the redhead. "And now, I win." Rika declared as she placed her ace card down. Ryo saw the content, and set a hand down, admitting defeat.

Renamon smirked. Rika seemed to have been keeping her cool lately, and she knew if ever these two will clash again in the tournament, which is likely, it would be unknown as to who will win. She glanced at Cyberdramon, who was actually thinking the same thing as she is right now:

That Ryo let Rika win the battle.

After all, no one was there to watch them and tell about it. Ryo knows that the redhead isn't a blabbermouth, and would rarely tell of her achievements. And their digimons won't tell a soul unless told by their partners.

"You're getting soft, Akiyama." Rika said, smirking. She saw through him and knows that he's not serious in playing the last game. And to top it, he was letting her into his techniques. "And you're letting me getting the scope of your little secrets."

"Well, there's no one to judge what you are accusing me, besides our digimon, Your Majesty." Ryo mock replied.

"Don't play sweet with me, Pretty Boy." The Ice Queen warned. Ryo presented her with an innocent face.

"Am I?"

"Well, you sound AND look like you are."

The yellow fox digimon leaned beside Cyberdramon, whispered. "Is it me, or are our partners flirting with each other?"

"I'm quite wondering about that myself." Cyberdramon returned.

Unfortunately, Rika had heard what the fox had said and glared at her digimon. Renamon only responded with a smile. Cyberdramon glanced at the two exchanging looks and turned to Ryo, who shrugged.

Rika looked at her watch, which was saying that her mother would be worrying that she is home late, and she isn't calling yet. She stands up, surprising a certain brown haired boy who was thinking of saying something to her.

"Look, it's getting late." She started, pointing outside. "Thank you for snack and the match, Ryo."

This surprised Ryo even more. Rare firsts, and firsts that she had shared with him, oh, does it make him tingle. He never her call him with his first name. (AN: I haven't heard yet, well, from where I'm watching, so shut up.) "Anything for the beautiful queen."

Rika threw him a dirty look, red dusting her cheeks. Ryo blinked.

"What? Did I say anything wrong?"

"Nothing, Akiyama. Forget it." The redhead replied, rolling her eyes and walked for the door, hoping that the small hint of blush goes away.

Being a gentleman that he is, Ryo went forward to open the door, but Rika got to it first and opened the door before he did.

They both went out, leaving the two digimon inside. Rika knows that Renamon knows her limits and wouldn't hang around a certain place for a long time, unless told by her.

Ryo was about to say something when he heard someone call his name. Both he and Rika turned to the direction of the voice and saw a man, about thirty years of age, running towards them.

"Thank God you're home, Ryo!" he exclaimed, stopping in front of them, panting.

Ryo couldn't understand why such a man knows him but the worried lines etched on his face was telling him that something was terribly wrong. "Why? What happened?"

The man face Ryo and sighed. "Ryo, your father..."

Fear overcame the two teens as they tried to put the pieces together. "What?! Tell me! What happened to my dad?!"

"Your father, he was involved in a car accident." The messenger answered. "Right now, doctors are trying their best, but I'm not so sure. His wounds are pretty deep and probably he's fractured."

Ryo and Rika were startled by the news, but Ryo was a tad more affected than the redhead beside him. Rika looked at the brown haired boy beside her. His father's the only family he had right now, and the fear of losing him now was already overriding his common sense. "Ryo..."

Ryo started running at top speed towards the direction of the hospital. Rika knows that she must go after him. But first things first. She turned to the man who just gave them the news and bowed.

"Thank you so much for telling us, sir." She said, and then went back inside Ryo's house where she only saw Cyberdramon. Renamon had already disappeared. "Cyberdramon, will you be okay staying here by yourself? Something's happened to Ryo's dad, and I don't think Ryo'll be back soon."

"I prefer going outside." Cyberdramon answered.

Rika bit her lip. Ryo wouldn't be able to control Cyberdramon right now, so he was her responsibility for now. "Renamon!"

The fox digimon appeared again at her Tamer's side. "Yes, Rika?"

"You wouldn't mind staying with Cyberdramon, would you?" Rika asked, hoping for her partner to give her a positive answer. "I have to catch up with Ryo. I believe he needs a hand right now."

"Sure." Renamon was just fine talking to the bigger digimon. And Rika thinks that Cyberdramon wouldn't mind, either.

Rika smiled, and then ran after Ryo.

~~ SIX FIFTEEN: CITY HOSPITAL ~~

She found Ryo standing beside his father's bed in the hospital. As she sighted Mr. Akiyama, she felt all the color left her face. He was covered in bandages and some of his limbs are in casts. On his faces lies an oxygen mask. For the second time in her entire life, she felt so crestfallen. She felt like it was her father lying there.

Rika shakes her head inwardly. 'What the hell am I thinking?!' She approached Ryo from the back and placed a hand on his shoulder, as if to say, "It'll be alright."

Much to the redhead's surprise, Ryo turned around and embraced her, his head on the crook of her shoulder. Rika began having mind battles, wondering if she would punch him or just return the hug. But now, her hardheaded side gave way, and besides, Ryo didn't do that on purpose. He just needs comfort and reassurance right now. So, she embraced him back.

Ryo couldn't believe that all of this is happening. First, he bumped into Rika, and shared quite a moment with her, and in public too. Then they ate at his house, talking like they were childhood friends. But then, the messenger came and also the word that ruined his whole day. And now, the girl he had been trying to get attention from for the past months is now embracing him, trying to make him feel better. But his father, his only closest relative, was facing and fighting death right now. His mother had died when he was still young, and his father had taken care of him ever since. Damn, he was still fourteen years, and...he suddenly went lightheaded when Rika tapped his back. He had been crying, he realized.

After what seems to be forever, they both reluctantly released each other. Ryo brushed the back of his palm over to his eyes to take off the tears. "Heh, sorry, I guess I got a bit too emotional."

Rika have him a faint smile. "Don't worry. Cry as much as you can. But he's not dead yet." Looking at Mr. Akiyama, she added. "He's fighting it...because he knows you'll be alone once he leaves."

Ryo returned the smile as he followed Rika's line of sight, and turned towards his father who shows no signs of movement. They could only hear audible beeps of a machine. "Rika, thank you."

The redhead looked at him, knowing too well what he meant.

"You've been here. I'm worried that he won't make it. You came here, and comforted me when all seems down. That is one side of yours that doesn't show everyday." Ryo said. "Thank you so much, Rika."

Rika felt large, mutated butterflies flying inside her stomach. "It's getting late. Do you need anything, because I might get it?"

"Can you check on Cyberdramon?" Ryo asked. "I don't think I'll be able to come home tonight."

Rika focused her attention on Mr. Akiyama, who was still unconscious. "Renamon is with him right now. My mom isn't around at our place. He could stay there. Grandmother seems to like another mouth to feed. She won't mind." She makes a beeline for the door. "I'll leave you alone with your dad for a while. I'll be back with dinner." And she disappeared from the doorway.

Ryo just continued looking at his father. Taking his dad's hand into his own, he closed his eyes, praying that he would wake up and say he's alright.

~~

Blast: That was nice. That really is one side of Rika you won't see everyday. Comments needed. And no, I'm not pairing Renamon and Cyberdramon! Well, if you want it that way, then see like that. And also, choose between Mega Man X or Zero to preside over the AN for the next chapter!