IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ STORIES WITH CHRISTIANITY IN IT I SUGGEST THAT YOU LEAVE NOW, PRONTO.

Finally updated eh? I don't get to update much for I have to update my website…a LOT. And all those CSS and HTML are killing me.

This story was also really just to express my feelings. All that Ryo said was true to me. I burdened all my pains to Ruki's heart and all my words I placed in Ryo's mouth. Also, I have meant this story to have Christianity in it and never knew how to introduce it but after reading an article, now I know. I accept flames. I will just NOT accept flames concerning my putting Christianity in this fic. All those flames will be ignored.

To Blast-Hornet: Sige. Send ko sayo yung script ng last episode sa atin kung meron akong time. Lapit na. Di ko narecord lahat. Hanggang sa part na sinabi ni Guilmon "I look forward to that Takato" lang ang na-record ko. Halos lahat naman na yon eh. Record ko rin yung nag-appear si Sakuyamon.

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.

What are Friends for? : Chapter 8: Surviving one's weakness

She looked down and so did he. It was getting late. Ruki thought about all that he had said and all that she remembered until Ryo interrupted her thoughts.

"It's almost dinnertime, want to come over to eat?" he smiled his trademark smile as he stood up.

She figured she wouldn't have anything to eat anyways so accepted the offer.

"Sure. I'm starved. Thanks" She smiled her million-dollar smile, stood up and went with him to his house.

Akiyama Residence

Mr. Akiyama greeted the two with a smile and motioned them in. He understood why his son had brought this unexpected guest along. They entered the dining room and he offered Ruki a seat as Ryo knelt on the floor beside her. Ruki looked around. It wasn't a very big or a glorious place to dine as in the Makino's but it was humble and homey. Mr. Akiyama nodded and returned to the kitchen to finish up, leaving the two alone.

As the door closed behind him, the two remained silent; Ruki thinking about what had just entered her ears and Ryo about his own personal life.

Why did Ryo have to care? How can Ryo see through her too much? Were her feelings slowly being revealed and peeled off her inner thoughts? How hard would it be to find the one true person who understands? Will she fail like Ryo did or will she succeed as Ryo said?

She pondered over all these questions as they swirled around and around her head making her more confused and nervous by the second.

Ryo, too, had something on his mind that was bothering him. How would Ruki react to his words? Did he help or just make more burden on her already devastating life? He didn't want her to feel any more pain as she was having now. If she did, he swore never to let her venture alone and he will help her. He will help her survive.

The door opened and in came Mr. Akiyama, holding a platter with some Japanese food in it. It wasn't as splendid as the Makino's but proved to be a delightful meal and all enjoyed it.

As Mr. Akiyama placed the platter down, he glanced at the two who had been quiet ever since he had left. He guessed they had had a talk previously. He sighed inwardly and knelt in front of his son. They bowed before filling their plates with the delicious meal and later vanishing it into their stomachs.

All ate quietly as one must not talk much during meals in Japan. Nearby she sensed the Akiyama's concern and pity for her. She didn't want to be pitied upon but couldn't bear say that, as Ryo understood and, after all the help they had offered, she couldn't just say that. She couldn't keep her mind steady and her heart was falling apart. How come it had to be like this? How come she, a violent, short-tempered, strong, bold and daring person could arrive at this state? She shook her head slightly as not to be noticed and laid down her chopsticks. Her food was finished and she intended to go home.

She was about to pick up her plate and bring them to the kitchen but was stopped by Mr. Akiyama.

"I'll take that" He said and, taking her plate along with Ryo's and his, went to the kitchen to wash them. She looked longingly at the door and Ryo took the hint.

"C'mon. Let's get you home" She wanted to deny and walk home herself. 'I could take care of myself you know' She simply nodded and followed him outside. Again, her conscience had taken over her.

The sky had already darkened and the stars shone out like a ruby in the dirt. Ryo looked up and saw a star brighter than the others. Pointing up, he exclaimed "Hey Ruki look it's Venus!" She looked up at the direction of his finger and raised an eyebrow. "Venus? Don't you mean Polaris?" Her voice was meek as she was surprised by Ryo's sudden change of subject.

"No. This one's not twinkling meaning it's not a star. Also, Venus is the north star. Learned that in Science" He smiled matter-of-factly. This raised Ruki's mood a little and she responded as if nothing ever happened.

"Whatever Mr. I-Know-Everything"

The boy sensed her mood rising and quickly shot back a teasing reply. "I never said I knew everything ya know…"

Knowing where this was leading to, Ruki quickly replied, the sarcastic touch now returning to her voice. "Now really? That may be true but at least now you've finally started studying your lessons"

"Ouch that really hurt Ruki. You know I am valedictorian in class…" Ruki rolled her eyes "Okay maybe not. But hey, I got all line of 9's you know…okay maybe except for math…and history…but other than that I got straight nines!" He grinned.

"Oh puh-lease. I got all line of nines…"

Seeing what she was about to say, Roy interrupted with importance in his voice. "Thanks to me. Without my professional and, not-to-mention FREE tutoring, you never would have perfected that Math test"

Ruki thought for a moment before retorting back an answer. "Okay so maybe you did help me…but that's out of the question. We were talking about stars and now you're turning it into school! You love school don't you?" She smirked.

He faked a shocked expression. "What?! Oh Ruki I am so taken aback by that comment" He bowed his head down, only to be whacked by Ruki. She pushed his head teasingly causing him to fall off-balance a little. She sneered at him and continued walking. He caught up and tapped her far shoulder. The girl turned her head abruptly around to see who had tapped her. She saw nothing. Casting a death glare at Ryo she continued to walk. He looked at her questioningly. She rolled her eyes and stared straight ahead. Once again he tapped her. Again she looked around for the culprit but revealed nothing. She felt no fear. Again she continued to walk. Later Ryo tapped her shoulder yet again. Ruki had been ready and slapped his hand hard as he withdrew it, whimpering at her action. Snickering, she said;

"That's what you get for messing with me" He cowered under her but then released a laugh. Not wanting to delay their walk any longer she snorted and ignored him. "Hey Ruki let's play the how-well-you-know-Kazu test k? Let's see if you could beat me at this game. Hehehe…"

She crossed her arms and raised her nose a little. "I could beat you at any game, any time. Bring it on" Her face turned serious.

"Okay. Question 1. Who is Kazu's number one idol? Ten seconds. 1…"

"You"

"Correct! Okay number 2. Kazu is who's number one fan?"

She rolled her eyes. "You"

"Correct! Who is Kazu's personal sidekick?"

"Kenta"

"Correct! Okay number 4, what is Kazu's favorite food?"

"Uhm…"

"1"

"Err…"

"2"

"Sashimi?"

"Incorrect! The correct answer is; anything. No matter how thin he is…you don't know what that guy eats…You lose"

"What? I answered almost everything correct!" Ruki complained and glared at him.

"Wrong. There were twenty questions all in all and if you get one wrong, the rest after that is wrong so…I win! And you said you can beat me at any game…"

She growled and breathed heavily, ignoring him. Ryo got worried. 'Uh-oh…have I crossed the line?' "Ruki are you okay?" No answer. They walked a little bit more, Ryo nervously sweating inside. 'If I made her condition worse, I swear I won't forgive myself. If she never forgives me I swear I'll be her personal servant. If…'

His thought were interrupted by a sudden stop at their pace. They had arrived at Ruki's house. "Ruki are you mad?" No response yet again. She just opened the gate and stood. Turning around she grinned at him. "Gotcha" she said and smiled. "Told you I'll beat you" Then she closed the door, leaving Ryo bewildered outside.

That night Ruki was alone in her mansion. Crawling into bed she couldn't sleep as the thoughts of life entered her mind and her sadness slowly revealing itself once more. Once again she wondered about Ryo's words to her.

'Are all those true? Why does it have to be like this? Will I overcome this sadness or will sadness overcome me and eventually turn me into a possessed Juri, only I could never be saved by mere fighting? I am strong. I can't let this, this sadness easily take over my life so easily. No. I can't. But who is that person I was meant to reveal my feelings over? I need help. But who can I turn to?'

She sighed and closed her eyes. Memories invaded her mind as she went through her adventure through life again.

Next morning she woke up with a start. There were no classes today. She could do whatever she wanted. She quickly took a shower and changed to her usual outfit. As if on cue the phone rang and Takato's voice could be heard from the other end.

"Hey Ruki watcha doin' today?" And before she could give an answer, "Meet us at the park pronto! Jen said he wanted to tell us something important"

"Now?"

"Yep. Jen, Ryo, Juri, Kazu and Kenta are coming too. I'm bringing some bread so no one needs to eat breakfast"

Silence

"So can you come? C'mon Ruki it's important. Well, Jen said it's important and he says important stuff so it's important!"

"Sure I'll come…"

"Thanks Ruki! See ya!" He slammed the phone down and rushed outside. Ruki sighed and headed out the door only to be met by Ryo once more. A grin was plastered against his face.

"Jen said he needed to tell us something important. We better go PRONTO!" He pushed her playfully to the front and they made their way to Shinjuku park.  

There they were met by the others who welcomed them with warm smiles. Jen hadn't arrived yet. Juri trotted over to Ruki and brought her sock puppet to her face. "Arf arf Ruki are you hungry?" Shocked at her friend's sudden reaction she nodded. Juri quickly went over to Takato, grabbed some bread and brought them over to Ruki, who ate them quietly. She then trotted over to Ryo, who was looking up at the sky, and did the same thing, causing him to jump a little. He scratched his head and nodded, getting some bread as a reward.

At last Jen arrived along with Shuichon.

"Sorry I took so long guys…"

"Okay okay now what do you have to tell us?" Kazu seemed impatient at his friend.

Jen glared at him making him cringe. Jen hardly ever glared. "Guys look at this" Carefully he touched his forehead, then his chest, then his left shoulder and right and brought his hands together at the center of his torso. Something about this movement struck Ruki and fear crept through her. Jen eyed her and nodded.

"This is the sign of the cross…"

"Dude that's for Christians…" Kazu had well recovered from his terrified state.

"Exactly"

"But Jen aren't you Buddhist? I mean, we're Japanese…" Takato started but was never able to finish.

"I'm not. Maybe you guys are but remember, I'm not pure Japanese. I'm part Chinese and part Japanese"

"Aren't Chinese Buddhists too?"

"Yes they are. But if you don't know many Chinese have converted to Christianity. My grandmother in China had too and has influenced my family and me. It may sound weird at first but the experience is amazing guys. I can't describe the feeling…" Shuichon nodded beside her brother. A small bracelet with a crucifix could be seen hanging limply at her wrist.

As Jen's words entered her ears, Ruki felt something inside her. Suddenly she burst out her question;

"Tell me more about it Jen. I need to know"

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For those who do not read author's notes at the beginning;  DO NOT FLAME ME ABOUT MY PUTTING CHRISTIANITY INTO THIS FIC. THIS FIC WAS MEANT TO HAVE CHRISTIANITY IN IT FROM THE START. Okay I'm done yelling. I now have 3 stories to update so updates may take a while. Oh yeah and please visit my hard-worked website. Please, PLEASE! Also, if any of you know digiexperience.net…it's so sad…Please please PLEASE view my website. It's in my profile. I don't think you are allowed to put up links here…are you? Anyways, as I always say,

REVIEW!