Con: :) A reason to celebrate! Guess why this chapter came out extra fast? Give you a hint... ::points to the chapter title:: Chapters come extra fast when all you're listening to is Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway. So if any of you say she can't sing, I'm gonna track ya down!
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, however this story is mine.
To DigiqueenTMIM: ::Scoffs:: Yeah, like it's my fault that I've had writer's block for the past few months. Obsessed? ::Scoffs:: Yeah, like it's my fault she's a great singer. Anyone who doesn't like her music is crazy. ::Starts humming along to Breakaway::
To Shannon: Oh God...Shan, you can't say that stuff 'bout me! I'm not that good. You should read more fanfics ::nods::
Chapter 5: Breakaway From The Past
-------------------------
Rika winced at how the ice attacked the parts of her body unprotected by articles of clothing. She ducked her head closer to the neck of the jacket, hoping—with favourable odds—that no swerving cars happened to hit her. 'Mom should have let me stay at home; nature wants to take lives tonight. Besides, I really doubt that her flight's gonna be flying tonight so why did I have to leave so early for?'
She closed her eyes when another strong gust of wind bit at her face, this time she welcomed its furious roar as she continued to hike through the blizzard. 'Is it my curiosity? Am I anxious as to what Akiyama's planne—no. I never promised him anything.' Even as those words ran through her mind, there was a gentle voice consistently nagging at the back of her head.
Rika shut out the words and tried to focus on staying on the sidewalk. It was probably the numbness beginning to overwhelm her senses, but Rika could feel that the snow beating down on her face was starting to lessen. She slowly re-opened her eyes and squinted to find out where she'd been venturing the entire time but everything was still covered in a thick layer of fog. Scowling mentally, the girl slowed her walk, waiting impatiently for the fog to subside significantly. But when it did, she immediately regretted having waited where she had. 'Why did the snow have to lift here? Why did I have to stop here?'
To her right was a set of stairs, partially buried under the snow and its destination unclear; but the fourteen-year-old had been here enough to know where it led. She closed her eyes and summoned the old shack from memory. Although the shack itself was old, the image was vivid for it was here that the Tamers began their journey into the Digital World. They'd nicknamed it Guilmon's Hideout.
Rika didn't know what it was, but something was forcing her to move up the stairs; perhaps the feeling of being so close, perhaps the knowledge that fate had led her blindly her. Whatever it was, she immediately gave into it and found herself running up the stone steps. 'Why?' she asked herself again, her foot landing on true ground. The snow was still descending from the heavens, but its strength had lessened so much that it no longer felt like a storm.
The girl looked up and her lavender irises found Ryo Akiyama's form inside the shack, leaning casually against wall. His head was bowed down to see something he'd flipped over in his hands and from where she was standing, Rika could see a small smile pull on his lips. She looked away from his face and saw something that had caught her attention. On Ryo's blue shirt laid a round coin with a small hole broken into the centre so that a golden chain could be snaked through it. Rika smiled slightly at the sight of the coin; it was something she had treasured for a long time.
----------
Usually when they were together the air would be filled with laughing and the constant talking of father and daughter. Today however, the air was filled with a solemn silence. Rika's eyes were downcast as her little legs dangled from the seat, trying not to take an interest in the man behind her, slowly pushing the swing back and forth. The man's eyes glanced upward and seeing that the sun was about to disappear, calmly asked his daughter if she wanted to go home yet.
The five-year-old shook her head. "No...not yet."
But he could sense that something was wrong with his daughter. The swinging abruptly halted and her father knelt down in front of her so that they were eye level. "Rika, what's wrong?"
"I heard you and Mommy shouting last night," she mumbled, unable to look up into her father's eyes. This lasted for only a few seconds before the childish actions got to her and she jumped off the swing into her father's arms, burying her face in his chest. "I don't want you to go Daddy!" she cried.
The man laughed, gently pulling her away and putting her at arms length. "Honey, is that what's been upsetting you the entire day?" When he received an affirmative answer, he gently stroked her auburn hair; his way of saying that everything was okay. "Don't worry, I promise that I'll come back. It'll only be for a year or so."
Rika nodded but he could see that sadness was still etched onto her features. An idea suddenly came to him and he reached behind his neck to unlock the chain that hung at his neck. When he was done, he held it up so that his offspring could see the Chinese coin that dragged the chain slightly downwards. "This belonged to my grandfather during the invasion of China in World War II," he explained. "He went through live-threatening danger to survive those days and this is a symbol of his success." Her father took her small hand and turning it palm up, pressed the chain into it.
"He gave it to my father and in turn my father gave it to me. Now, I'm giving it to you. You know how much this object means to me, right? So do you understand that I will come back one day?"
Rika was still in awe at the golden item in her hand but she smiled when she heard her father's question. "Thank you Daddy!"
----------
How many years have passed since that day? Almost a decade but it surprised her to know that she had held onto that hope even when she had shut the world out. To give it to Ryo represented that she was letting go--of her father's broken promise, of him, of her past—and starting anew. But whether or not it would be with Ryo, she was unsure.
Rika decided to stop delaying their fated meeting and began to walk straight into the Hideout. It could be said that her weight betrayed her as the pressure caused the snow to shift slightly, but enough so that Ryo's ears picked it up and caught her before she wanted him to. She hesitated for a second when she saw him look up but she had gone this far, she couldn't give in because of that little action.
The grin that had become his trademark symbol once again found its place across his face when his sapphire irises found the girl's arriving figure. Ryo breathed out in relief and his worried eyes allowed a softened expression. He still couldn't believe that he had fallen for such a girl like Rika. Unlike other girls hoping for his attention, she had never repeatedly sent him little love notes telling him how great he looked, nor did she give him various expensive gifts. No, Rika Nonaka had stolen his heart by treating him like a normal person not a god.
He turned to fully face her and raised two fingers up; between them was an item roughly the size and thickness of a card. The boy laughed, "You didn't need to give me this, Rika. You even know that I have this card already."
----------
The tension in the room was thick as the spectators waited anxiously for the crowning of the next Digimon Card Champion. A thirteen-year-old boy had already DNA-Digivolved two Ultimates: Piximon and Triceramon into the mighty SaberLeomon and was watching to see what his opponent would do. He smirked, knowing that he was going to win this battle. "You should give up," he paused to check the name of his rivalling competitor. "Rika. You can't defeat the future Digimon King."
Rika's eyes burned with a fierce determination. She had flown through the tournament with ease and now she met a competitor not only with skill, but also an ego. "You better watch your mouth Akiyama," she retorted. "'Cause you're gonna clean it when I'm through with you."
It was a straightforward Digivolve from MegaKabuterimon to the Mega level HerculesKabuterimon. However SaberLeomon's attack was an impressive 550 while her Insectoid was still 80 attack points lower. She swiped out two Power Option Cards from her hand and slapped it against the table. One of them was a Yellow Offensive Card which changed her Digimon's attack to 510, not enough the win the battle. The other card she'd placed was Metal Attack.
While the audience bent down to read the effect, Ryo knew enough to recite it out of pure memory. "Metal Attack: adds 50 points to your Digimon Power." He chuckled. "Good choice, trying to get ahead of me." He watched the twelve-year-old discard a card from her hand, meeting her cold eyes before drawing a card himself. His eyes told everyone that he'd been anticipating this moment and he put it on the table for all to see. "Sorry but you lose." He had placed the same card Rika had, snatching victory away from her hands.
As the crowd roared out in celebration for their new Champion, Ryo Akiyama stood and held out his hand to the girl. "Good game."
Rika looked at his hand as if it was a lowly slug, unworthy of her own. "Try your act with someone who's stupid enough to fall for it, Akiyama. Besides, I wouldn't want to dirty your hand. You'll need it to wave farewell to your loyal subjects; shaking hands with your enemy might not suit you." Ryo started to argue but Rika had already gathered up her cards and started towards the door out of the building.
He frowned and turned to the official who had announced his name. "What was the girl's name again?" he asked.
The man looked down at his clipboard, his eyes scrolling down the list. "The runner-up is Rika. Rika Nonaka."
The boy nodded and he looked back at the retreating figure. "Rika..."
----------
Rika frowned when she recognized the pale image of MetalEtemon and realized at once that it was the same card they'd played against each other, not just once but twice. She remembered vividly that after the D-Reaper incident they had battled each other again— this time out of entertainment. Ryo had won using the same combo he had used at the tournament.
Metal Attack had fuelled their rivalry and sealed their friendship, would this card do anything more?
Not wanting to speak of it, she hastily changed the subject. "You wanted me to come here, so tell me want you want already."
The smile on his face fell and he nodded in acknowledgement. He muttered something under his breath and pivoted his left foot so that his back would be pressed against the wall. Standing past him was a figure roughly the size and height of an adult human. The being wore long purple gloves that were cut at the end and went past their elbows, both bore the well-known symbol of Taoism. A bushy yellow tail swept the floor behind it as the creature walked forward to greet the fourteen-year-old. It was covered in a bright yellow fur—excluding the majority of the torso and its feet—and moved with an unearthly grace, its silted blue eyes meeting the girl's. Rika drew in a sharp breath and out of human instinct, took a step back. This creature had the appearance of a Kitsune but she'd known this creature long enough to know better.
"Renamon..." She trailed off, casting a glance at Ryo who had looked away. "It's...It's great to see you again." So she was the presence I felt at school... She refrained from adding anything else with a third-party present.
The Digimon nodded. "Likewise, Rika. It's been such a long time since the D-Reaper. In a way, you were right. It was our last battle—until now."
She nodded in agreement though a part of her was restless. She wanted to talk to her partner, tell her of all that had changed, confide in her things that she would never tell her own mother. But her pride refused her these things as long as Ryo was watching.
The fifteen-year-old seemed to sense her discomfort and began to move out of the way when Renamon held out her paw, indicating that he didn't have to leave.
We can catch up when we go back, but you need to talk to Ryo now. He was the one responsible for arranging this, Rika. You should thank him. With those last words, Renamon severed their telepathic connection and faded back into the shadows.
Rika was about to argue but sighed when her partner disappeared. "I guess I should thank you Ryo," she started, turning to face him. "But why did you do it? —Not that I'm not thankful or anything."
Ryo grinned nervously. "Well I wanted to do something for White Day. But none of the Digimon could wait an entire month so I had to do it now."
"None of the Digimon?" she repeated. "You found a way to being the Digimon back to the Real World? And before Hypnos could figure anything out?"
The boy ran a hand through his brown hair and chuckled sheepishly. "Well me and a group of my Dad's friends programmed a firewall, blocking all unauthorized access to the Digital World. Not even Hypnos could break through it. I wanted to surprise all of you. Especially you." His eyes looked longingly into hers as if he was waiting for her approval.
Rika pulled away from his mesmerizing gaze. Why did he have to include that last part? Did he expect her to fall into his arms, admit that she was now eternally in debt to him? Probably in a movie, but not now.
"Ryo, I appreciate what you did for us but I'm sorry if you expect anything in return. I know that I've taken incredible steps to breakaway from my past and cling onto you, but I just can't. You're my friend, a really good friend, but I just can't take that final step." Whoa, did that just come out of her mouth?
A flicker of disappointment ran across Ryo's face but he seemed to understand because when he spoke, it was in a calm tone. "I understand Rika...I guess I just thought..." Whatever he thought was left unsaid as he quickly recovered himself. "We can always remain friends. I'm prepared to make that final step whenever you are. When you are, remember that I will always be there to catch you shall you fall."
Rika smiled. "Thanks for understanding Ryo."
Outside the hidden sun found its way back to the sky and shone with a fierce intensity; the storm had stopped long ago. It cast long shadows against the cement wall and Rika turned around to squint at that burning star. Ryo joined her, arching his neck back before he suddenly remembered something. "Hey Rika, don't you have to go meet your mother soon?"
Rika groaned, figuring that she was probably going to be late—again. "Yeah, I've got to go." But before she could make a run for it, Ryo had caught her hand with that smile of his again.
"Would Miss Nonaka like to be escorted?" he asked, bowing formally as he did.
Rika couldn't help but let his "act" touch her. "If it suits you."
Ryo Akiyama knelt on one knee and softly kissed the hand he held before looking up at her surprised expression. "It does, my Queen."
-------------------------
Con: "Trying not to reach out, But when I'd try to speak out, Felt like no one could hear me..." Man, how much do I love that song? When reminds me, gotta see Princess Diaries 2 soon. Kelly will rule the world! :)
Hey, not only Kelly helped me finish this fic, but Theresa Sokyrka's performance on Canadian Idol helped me out too! If she gets voted off tonight, I'm gonna track them down too! Stupid ass judges...
Strange ending, I know. But I've been reading Heir Apparent by author Vivian Vande Velde these last couple of days, and the medieval stuff kinda got to me. Fantasy books are the best; one day, they will too rule you all. ::nods::
Thanks to my reviewers: Luzr-Gurl13, Ao-Senshi, Shannon, DigiqueenTMIM, Western Master 3, KuTiExAzNxAnGeL, Amethyst Blizzard, a-A-a, Unknown, kairi kingdom, sari, Alex Warlorn, alexian-goddess, Rachel, Crayola, Evil Queen, Lavos, The Time Apocalypse, pblllllll (o.o Very interesting name...), and Hellomimmy. A special thanks to Amethyst Blizzard, the only one to have reviewed every one of my chapters and keep up with my slowness; thanks for sticking by me from beginning to end. I would also like to acknowledge my friend Shannon, I would have never known that my fics were that good if you hadn't encouraged me so. I'm glad to have you as a friend since eight.
Well this marks the end of If Only It Was Real, the second story I've finished since my beginning as an author (which is pretty pathetic considering I joined a year ago...). ::grins:: No one will ever know what happened to Jeri and them...That's for me to know but if I ever decide to continue this, you will figure out :)
I've got yet another fanfic pending and hopefully you'll see that tomorrow. 'Til then, this is con2020tran, signing out. ;)