Mai: I'm so sorry that I haven't updated since.........(counting) a few weeks.
Men, people will hate me for this. You see, a stalker hacked into my
computer, and well, war raged, and the to stop him from getting my personal
files, I had to reboot the system.
***: Mai, just tell them that the computer caught a flu and it wouldn't settle down unless rebooted.
Mai: You had to spoil my story. Oh well, I don't own Digimon Tamers. Thanks for the reviews. Don't worry, I'll save a special place for all my reviewers at the last chapter. *wink*.........
~~
CHAPTER IX: THE MEETING OF ALTAIR AND VEGA
~~
Seiko watched the events unfolding before her eyes. Her only granddaughter, Rika, is being fussed over by her mother. The heroine of the two worlds is now being fixed into a dress and a hairstyle. She knew that her granddaughter's sole reason of getting involved like this with Rumiko is that her date is now her priority.
She left them to dress and walked to the living room, and saw the said date, kneeling down, eyes closed in a short meditation. He wore a navy blue kimono and hakama, complete with a haori no himo and a haori with a lighter shade of blue. 'This tradition never loses its touch.' She thought with a smile. This is how Rumiko met her husband. She joined the young boy. He opened his eyes and look at the older woman.
"Good evening Seiko." He greeted, remembering the one instance that she told him to address her by first name basis.
Seiko acknowledged the greeting with a nod. "Rika will be out soon. For now, I want to have a word with you." When she saw the boy confirm what she just said, she started. "It break my heart when Rumiko was left by her husband. It affected not only Rumiko, but Rika as well. She loved her father very much, and losing him that way is the most painful of all. I kept on praying, wishing that there will be a person strong enough to break the barrier she set up to protect herself from the world. And then you came and did just that.
"I am happy of what happened to Rika during the past weeks. After the D- Reaper's defeat, she started to feel comfortable around us. I know that one day she'll say this, but I want to tell you this first." She sighed. "Ryo, I trust you to protect her. Don't make me lose that trust."
Ryo nodded. "I have no intention of hurting Rika or letting her be hurt in any way." He knew that Seiko was just looking up to Rika's safety, as the one who was supposed to tell him about these things and protect her was not around. "I'll treat her like a precious jewel."
"Taking that from you Pretty Boy, I don't even want to know what that means." A familiar icy voice greeted them. They turned to see Rika standing at the doorway. Ryo blinked, and stared hard and long. She wore a butterfly designed lavender furisode, which matched the color of her eyes by the way, with an obi and obidome with the same design, complete with a fan that she held by one hand. Her auburn hair is tightly bounded in a bun, locked with a single chopstick. The one thing he noticed the most is that no make-up is applied. 'Well, what can you expect from Rika? Well, she's better off without it. Her natural beauty is just fine with me.'
Rika wasn't able to hear the pieces of advice her grandmother said to Ryo, but she was sure what she was trying to say. Taking a look at Ryo, she smiled. 'Well, well, look who dressed up for this day. Oh for cripes' sake, look who's talking.'
The two must've been staring at each other for a good few seconds because both were startled back to the land of reality when Rumiko coughed voluntarily. This sudden use of acknowledgement caused Rika to blink and blush furiously, and Ryo to grin, shades of red staining his cheeks.
"Now, I will not want you two to just stand there staring at each other, alright?" Rumiko said. "You two better go now or you'll miss the fireworks." The woman had a feeling that her mother already lectured the young man, so she need not bother.
Ryo stands up and offers his hand to Rika. "Shall we?" he asked, his smile never leaving his face. 'Man, talk about falling hard.' To his surprise, Rika accepted the hand with a serene smile pasted on her face. 'And it's even strange that she's starting to act this way, but hey, who's complaining?'
When they're finally outside, Ryo looked at her. "Rika, I know you'll kick me for this, but well," he whispered to her ear. "You look absolutely gorgeous, pumpkin."
"That makes the two of us." She replied, lightly squeezing his hand. Ryo noted another surprise and mentally took a list. 'If this is what it takes to make her smile and act like this, I'll be happier if Orihime and Kengyu would meet every day.'
They slowly walked their way to the plaza, where the main event of the festival will be held. At that time, their hands are firmly clasped to each other. They drew conversations to fill in the time, at least, until they reach their destination. The last thing they wanted to do is to stop time again, like what happened at the park.
When they arrived at the plaza, Ryo spotted a spot with bamboo growing in it. It was probably placed there because of the festival. He smiled and turned to his partner. "Wildcat, you wouldn't mind staying here for a little while? I'll be right back." He made a quick dash to the bamboo and slipped a piece of paper inside its hole and went back to Rika.
The festival included some shows, where only a few they chose to watch, and after watching the last one, they entered a Japanese restaurant. The young waitress led them to one of the cubicles (Damn if I know what they call those things :P) When they finally settled down, the waitress took their orders and left them.
"I couldn't remember the last time I attended a festival." Rika started, placing her fan on the side. "And I couldn't remember going in this kind of festival, wearing these kinds of clothes."
Ryo grinned. "Well, now you have a memory of going to a festival. Although the last time I've been in a festival is when mom is still alive."
"I'm sorry Ryo." Somehow, the topic about his mom didn't really bother him, but she knows that he still have that part of him that misses his mother. "I shouldn't have brought that up."
"Nah, it's fine." He replied. "I know it's kind of hard, but then, well, I have to move on. I'm sure that's what she wants for me." Another smile lit his face.
Rika was about to say something when she saw two figures in front of the cubicle. "Rika? Ryo? That you two?" They both turned and saw Takato and Jeri looking at them.
It appeared that the two were at the festival for the same reason. Takato wears the same outfit as Ryo, but the color differs from the shades of yellow to olive. And the same goes for Jeri, except that the furisode's design is of flowers and the shades goes from brown to red. The girl's hair remains the same except for the loss of the side ponytail. In place of the ponytail is a strange species of flower on her ear.
"Looks like you summoned all your guts to ask Jeri out." Ryo smiled, looking at their direction. This statement is enough to make Takato's face slightly change color in different shades of red.
"Well, look who's talking." Jeri replied in defense for her defenseless date. She turned to Rika. "Rika, I really can't believe what I'm seeing right now. Congratulations you two." She grinned playfully.
"Likewise, Jeri." Rika answered, returning the gesture. This would be the picture of the day, she silently mused. She glanced at Takato, who is already talking to Ryo, and back at Jeri. "How did he ask you out?"
Jeri grinned. "Sore wa himitsu." She answered. "But I know how Ryo asked YOU out." Her grin was simply priceless. Rika just shook her head in disbelief. 'Of all the times to hide secrets from me.........'
A few minutes and a set of conversations later, Takato and Jeri left them to brood on the food the waitress gave. Jeri's last words go something like, "Enjoy yourselves for this night." The reaction was instant. Both distinguished champion card players turned into a different shade of pink to red. 'Imagine blushing almost ten times this day', Rika remarked to herself. 'This is not a good mental image.'
The two ate their food in silence and after giving the payment and the tip to the waitress they left the restaurant in search for something else to do. When they're back at the main road of the event, they went through all the booths they could see.
"This is the best night ever." Ryo remarked as he and Rika sat down on benches, both sharing a stick of cotton candy. He had seen his precious pumpkin smile more than once during the night, and he was more than happy for her. He looked at her face, which expresses something near contentment and well, contentment. "Enjoying yourself, wildcat?"
"Uhuh." She nodded in reply. She twisted her head to look at Ryo. "Just what is with the bamboo plant?"
Ryo grin. "I see you're not paying close attention at History, my dear." After getting a punch on the arm as reward from his date, he feigned a frown. "Oh, come on, Rika, I thought you wanna know."
"I do." She replied. She raised her eyebrows and stared at him with the glare that would render Kazu and Kenta cowering in fear. "I just don't need your smart ass comments. I need your answers."
Ryo nodded. "Point taken." When they calmed down a bit, he continued. "You see, there is this little paper that you write a wish on. Then you place that paper inside the bamboo. It was said that when Orihime and Kengyu meet at the heavens, the wish on that paper would be granted, like the wish of the two lovers were granted."
After his statement, Rika clapped. "You have been studying." She remarked. She looked up and saw the stars up at the sky, like diamonds scattered on a black blanket. "So, what now?"
Something inside Ryo snapped, and he stands up. "There's gonna be a fireworks display around this time." He takes Rika's hand and starts walking, with her in drag. "I know a perfect place to watch it."
They went up a set of stairs and they now stood in what looks like a wide cliff just across a river. Ryo left her to gaze at the scenery to find a suitable site to sit down. He found a spot beneath a tree and gestured to Rika to follow. Both now situated themselves at the same spot.
When the fireworks display started, both look at the explosion of colors with awe. Rika found herself leaning onto Ryo's sturdy chest. 'If loving again would reward me with this, I'll be willing to be like this for the rest of my life.' Her action was returned with an arm draping itself around her shoulders, holding her in the position. Not that she was complaining, mind you.
Ryo looked down to see her looking at him. He gave her a relaxed smile and a small squeeze on the shoulders. 'I wouldn't trade this moment for the world. Rika, if you only know how much I love you. That's it! I nearly forgot about that.'
After a few minutes of gazing up at the heavens, Ryo released his hold – most unfortunate for Rika, who already loved the moment – and fumbled inside his coat. When his hands found it, he turned to Rika. "Rika, this is a special day for me." He looked straight at her lavender eyes. "Do you know why?"
"I wish I know your reason, but I sure know the reason why this day is special to me." She replied, not quite sure that looking directly at his eyes is a good thing. 'Since when have looking at his eyes became a good thing? Everything that happens next after staring at him for too long always go out better than expected.' "Why?"
"Because this day........." he started, taking out the box out from his coat to view. "Is the day that I........." he showed the box to Rika, and opened it. ".........tell you that I love you so much........."
Rika gasped as she saw the silver ring adorned with an amethyst and a sapphire. "Oh, Ryo.........you didn't have to........."
"Rika, I love you, and I'm willing to wait for you." He said. Ryo took the ring from the box and took her hand. He slid the ring on her ring finger.
She found herself speechless of the sudden statement. She only found tears on her eyes. With frustration in her mind, yet love present at her heart, she threw herself at him, burying her head on his chest. Ryo smiled peacefully, and wrapped his arms around her.
Finally, the ice queen's barrier was completely destroyed.
~~
Mai: *sigh* SUPER FLUFFINESS!!! *sigh* And it's so goddamn fast! Tell me, am I that fast? Anyway, sorry for the totally poor grammar since I don't have the time to correct it. I thank you for the reviews.........you know, this might be the first story I'll be able to finish in a year. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
***: Mai, just tell them that the computer caught a flu and it wouldn't settle down unless rebooted.
Mai: You had to spoil my story. Oh well, I don't own Digimon Tamers. Thanks for the reviews. Don't worry, I'll save a special place for all my reviewers at the last chapter. *wink*.........
~~
CHAPTER IX: THE MEETING OF ALTAIR AND VEGA
~~
Seiko watched the events unfolding before her eyes. Her only granddaughter, Rika, is being fussed over by her mother. The heroine of the two worlds is now being fixed into a dress and a hairstyle. She knew that her granddaughter's sole reason of getting involved like this with Rumiko is that her date is now her priority.
She left them to dress and walked to the living room, and saw the said date, kneeling down, eyes closed in a short meditation. He wore a navy blue kimono and hakama, complete with a haori no himo and a haori with a lighter shade of blue. 'This tradition never loses its touch.' She thought with a smile. This is how Rumiko met her husband. She joined the young boy. He opened his eyes and look at the older woman.
"Good evening Seiko." He greeted, remembering the one instance that she told him to address her by first name basis.
Seiko acknowledged the greeting with a nod. "Rika will be out soon. For now, I want to have a word with you." When she saw the boy confirm what she just said, she started. "It break my heart when Rumiko was left by her husband. It affected not only Rumiko, but Rika as well. She loved her father very much, and losing him that way is the most painful of all. I kept on praying, wishing that there will be a person strong enough to break the barrier she set up to protect herself from the world. And then you came and did just that.
"I am happy of what happened to Rika during the past weeks. After the D- Reaper's defeat, she started to feel comfortable around us. I know that one day she'll say this, but I want to tell you this first." She sighed. "Ryo, I trust you to protect her. Don't make me lose that trust."
Ryo nodded. "I have no intention of hurting Rika or letting her be hurt in any way." He knew that Seiko was just looking up to Rika's safety, as the one who was supposed to tell him about these things and protect her was not around. "I'll treat her like a precious jewel."
"Taking that from you Pretty Boy, I don't even want to know what that means." A familiar icy voice greeted them. They turned to see Rika standing at the doorway. Ryo blinked, and stared hard and long. She wore a butterfly designed lavender furisode, which matched the color of her eyes by the way, with an obi and obidome with the same design, complete with a fan that she held by one hand. Her auburn hair is tightly bounded in a bun, locked with a single chopstick. The one thing he noticed the most is that no make-up is applied. 'Well, what can you expect from Rika? Well, she's better off without it. Her natural beauty is just fine with me.'
Rika wasn't able to hear the pieces of advice her grandmother said to Ryo, but she was sure what she was trying to say. Taking a look at Ryo, she smiled. 'Well, well, look who dressed up for this day. Oh for cripes' sake, look who's talking.'
The two must've been staring at each other for a good few seconds because both were startled back to the land of reality when Rumiko coughed voluntarily. This sudden use of acknowledgement caused Rika to blink and blush furiously, and Ryo to grin, shades of red staining his cheeks.
"Now, I will not want you two to just stand there staring at each other, alright?" Rumiko said. "You two better go now or you'll miss the fireworks." The woman had a feeling that her mother already lectured the young man, so she need not bother.
Ryo stands up and offers his hand to Rika. "Shall we?" he asked, his smile never leaving his face. 'Man, talk about falling hard.' To his surprise, Rika accepted the hand with a serene smile pasted on her face. 'And it's even strange that she's starting to act this way, but hey, who's complaining?'
When they're finally outside, Ryo looked at her. "Rika, I know you'll kick me for this, but well," he whispered to her ear. "You look absolutely gorgeous, pumpkin."
"That makes the two of us." She replied, lightly squeezing his hand. Ryo noted another surprise and mentally took a list. 'If this is what it takes to make her smile and act like this, I'll be happier if Orihime and Kengyu would meet every day.'
They slowly walked their way to the plaza, where the main event of the festival will be held. At that time, their hands are firmly clasped to each other. They drew conversations to fill in the time, at least, until they reach their destination. The last thing they wanted to do is to stop time again, like what happened at the park.
When they arrived at the plaza, Ryo spotted a spot with bamboo growing in it. It was probably placed there because of the festival. He smiled and turned to his partner. "Wildcat, you wouldn't mind staying here for a little while? I'll be right back." He made a quick dash to the bamboo and slipped a piece of paper inside its hole and went back to Rika.
The festival included some shows, where only a few they chose to watch, and after watching the last one, they entered a Japanese restaurant. The young waitress led them to one of the cubicles (Damn if I know what they call those things :P) When they finally settled down, the waitress took their orders and left them.
"I couldn't remember the last time I attended a festival." Rika started, placing her fan on the side. "And I couldn't remember going in this kind of festival, wearing these kinds of clothes."
Ryo grinned. "Well, now you have a memory of going to a festival. Although the last time I've been in a festival is when mom is still alive."
"I'm sorry Ryo." Somehow, the topic about his mom didn't really bother him, but she knows that he still have that part of him that misses his mother. "I shouldn't have brought that up."
"Nah, it's fine." He replied. "I know it's kind of hard, but then, well, I have to move on. I'm sure that's what she wants for me." Another smile lit his face.
Rika was about to say something when she saw two figures in front of the cubicle. "Rika? Ryo? That you two?" They both turned and saw Takato and Jeri looking at them.
It appeared that the two were at the festival for the same reason. Takato wears the same outfit as Ryo, but the color differs from the shades of yellow to olive. And the same goes for Jeri, except that the furisode's design is of flowers and the shades goes from brown to red. The girl's hair remains the same except for the loss of the side ponytail. In place of the ponytail is a strange species of flower on her ear.
"Looks like you summoned all your guts to ask Jeri out." Ryo smiled, looking at their direction. This statement is enough to make Takato's face slightly change color in different shades of red.
"Well, look who's talking." Jeri replied in defense for her defenseless date. She turned to Rika. "Rika, I really can't believe what I'm seeing right now. Congratulations you two." She grinned playfully.
"Likewise, Jeri." Rika answered, returning the gesture. This would be the picture of the day, she silently mused. She glanced at Takato, who is already talking to Ryo, and back at Jeri. "How did he ask you out?"
Jeri grinned. "Sore wa himitsu." She answered. "But I know how Ryo asked YOU out." Her grin was simply priceless. Rika just shook her head in disbelief. 'Of all the times to hide secrets from me.........'
A few minutes and a set of conversations later, Takato and Jeri left them to brood on the food the waitress gave. Jeri's last words go something like, "Enjoy yourselves for this night." The reaction was instant. Both distinguished champion card players turned into a different shade of pink to red. 'Imagine blushing almost ten times this day', Rika remarked to herself. 'This is not a good mental image.'
The two ate their food in silence and after giving the payment and the tip to the waitress they left the restaurant in search for something else to do. When they're back at the main road of the event, they went through all the booths they could see.
"This is the best night ever." Ryo remarked as he and Rika sat down on benches, both sharing a stick of cotton candy. He had seen his precious pumpkin smile more than once during the night, and he was more than happy for her. He looked at her face, which expresses something near contentment and well, contentment. "Enjoying yourself, wildcat?"
"Uhuh." She nodded in reply. She twisted her head to look at Ryo. "Just what is with the bamboo plant?"
Ryo grin. "I see you're not paying close attention at History, my dear." After getting a punch on the arm as reward from his date, he feigned a frown. "Oh, come on, Rika, I thought you wanna know."
"I do." She replied. She raised her eyebrows and stared at him with the glare that would render Kazu and Kenta cowering in fear. "I just don't need your smart ass comments. I need your answers."
Ryo nodded. "Point taken." When they calmed down a bit, he continued. "You see, there is this little paper that you write a wish on. Then you place that paper inside the bamboo. It was said that when Orihime and Kengyu meet at the heavens, the wish on that paper would be granted, like the wish of the two lovers were granted."
After his statement, Rika clapped. "You have been studying." She remarked. She looked up and saw the stars up at the sky, like diamonds scattered on a black blanket. "So, what now?"
Something inside Ryo snapped, and he stands up. "There's gonna be a fireworks display around this time." He takes Rika's hand and starts walking, with her in drag. "I know a perfect place to watch it."
They went up a set of stairs and they now stood in what looks like a wide cliff just across a river. Ryo left her to gaze at the scenery to find a suitable site to sit down. He found a spot beneath a tree and gestured to Rika to follow. Both now situated themselves at the same spot.
When the fireworks display started, both look at the explosion of colors with awe. Rika found herself leaning onto Ryo's sturdy chest. 'If loving again would reward me with this, I'll be willing to be like this for the rest of my life.' Her action was returned with an arm draping itself around her shoulders, holding her in the position. Not that she was complaining, mind you.
Ryo looked down to see her looking at him. He gave her a relaxed smile and a small squeeze on the shoulders. 'I wouldn't trade this moment for the world. Rika, if you only know how much I love you. That's it! I nearly forgot about that.'
After a few minutes of gazing up at the heavens, Ryo released his hold – most unfortunate for Rika, who already loved the moment – and fumbled inside his coat. When his hands found it, he turned to Rika. "Rika, this is a special day for me." He looked straight at her lavender eyes. "Do you know why?"
"I wish I know your reason, but I sure know the reason why this day is special to me." She replied, not quite sure that looking directly at his eyes is a good thing. 'Since when have looking at his eyes became a good thing? Everything that happens next after staring at him for too long always go out better than expected.' "Why?"
"Because this day........." he started, taking out the box out from his coat to view. "Is the day that I........." he showed the box to Rika, and opened it. ".........tell you that I love you so much........."
Rika gasped as she saw the silver ring adorned with an amethyst and a sapphire. "Oh, Ryo.........you didn't have to........."
"Rika, I love you, and I'm willing to wait for you." He said. Ryo took the ring from the box and took her hand. He slid the ring on her ring finger.
She found herself speechless of the sudden statement. She only found tears on her eyes. With frustration in her mind, yet love present at her heart, she threw herself at him, burying her head on his chest. Ryo smiled peacefully, and wrapped his arms around her.
Finally, the ice queen's barrier was completely destroyed.
~~
Mai: *sigh* SUPER FLUFFINESS!!! *sigh* And it's so goddamn fast! Tell me, am I that fast? Anyway, sorry for the totally poor grammar since I don't have the time to correct it. I thank you for the reviews.........you know, this might be the first story I'll be able to finish in a year. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
