Could You Read My Mind?
Author's Note: Yes, readers may have noticed a new style in this story, seeing as (I had to keep the tradition and change my style for every story x.x) there are rules regarding chat-room based entries, even in A/N's. Flashbacks are in italics just because doesn't enjoy inserting certain symbols in stories (multiple hyphens). Just a reminder that this chapter will not be in the same POV as the last was; you'll have to figure that out on your own.
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon or the characters mentioned on this page, but I can claim this story as mine.
BloodyKitsune, x( You should really consider displaying your email address for all to see cuz then you wouldn't have needed to wait this long to receive a response. Yes, I know that the movie was really in favour of Rukato but that's what got me so bugged and encouraged me to write this. Why is it that because of the movie, some people just think that they can ignore all other events in the series? Why is it that they disregard Takato's initial feelings for Jeri? And what of Ryo? Is that entire moment in the last episode to be disregarded as well?
This is not to say that I loathe Rukato with the passion of a thousand suns, for early on in the series, I was also a supporter and respect any well-written Rukato. It's just that people think they can ignore everything that had occurred (mainly on other fanfiction sites) and expect us to read something they believe is perfect. Although this story takes place after RDE, I warned you about the pairings so you came here of your own free will.
No, I didn't change the movie. Takato may have gone out to see Rika, but Renamon turned him back, not giving him a chance to say anything but her name. "This would have been good if thought out more" 'ey! I barely even started!
Cynthia, Ruby of the Rose, I realized that bit but it when Ryo came out to see Rika, it was when she was just getting up so it makes sense that Renamon just let it go...kinda.
Peter Kim, It may be kinda hard considering that I'm trying to focus on the romance but it has crossed my mind briefly. However, I've only thought of doing Henry's point of view.
Random Reviewer, Little 'review thingy'? o.o I'm confused...But I totally agree with you on the third person thing.
Amethyst Blizzard, I actually thought that there would be someone who already wrote something like this, but there wasn't so that surprised me...
Chapter 2: Can't I Be Worried About My Friends?
"Ruki," I began, taking a step in her direction when I suddenly had the sensation that someone's eyes were boring into my back. I turned, seeing a tall kitsune fade into view and nod slightly at me, advising me to leave the girl. I took one last look before sighing, reluctantly retreating down the hallway with Renamon at my side.
Why did Ruki just suddenly leave when Hirokazu asked her to sing? I knew that it was my fault for even telling him in the first place, but I couldn't help myself from blurting the fact out. The truth was that her singing voice was beautiful; sure she was under Parasimon's command but I could tell that the song had come from her heart. How she had reacted to Hirokazu's request proved it to be true.
"Renamon," I started, pausing in my steps. "Why didn't you let me talk to Ruki? I'm worried about her. Parasimon may have influenced her behaviour on Locomon, but I know that the parasite must have fed off of something, otherwise she wouldn't have sang that song."
"It's nothing against you Takato, but Ruki just needed some time alone," the Digimon answered. "So much has happened in one day that she just needs time to accept it all—"
"Renamon, do you know anything?" I asked, cutting off her sentence. I cast a quick glance backwards as if to check on the girl, and was surprised that we had not walked far at all. I frowned when she gave me a negative answer. Of all the people, Renamon was the closest to her and if she didn't know, how could I help Ruki?
"But I can feel that there is indeed something upsetting her. I am sure that she will tell us in due time." The Child started walking again and left me alone, allowing me to conclude that she had sensed my own need to be alone.
I leaned against the wall where the rays of orange light could not touch, hiding myself in the shadows. I looked over at where Ruki sat and sighed inwardly. While part of me was worried about my friend, another part of me was still basking in the glory of my act earlier on today. My eyes closed as the scene found its way into my mind, as vivid as ever.
"Rock Breaker!" I watched as Guilmon's claws impaled the strange green sack on Ruki's back, destroying it and the purple spider legs that protruded from it. The girl collapsed and Guilmon rushed over to me. "Takato!"
I could feel my right arm tiring and desperately tried to fight the force of the wind, to get my other hand on a hold. With adrenaline rushing into my veins, I quickly had both hands holding me on and was helped up by the Child. "Thanks Guilmon," I said as soon as I was seated on the roof, trying to catch my breath. My eyes darted over to Ruki's still form, worrying about her well-being. "Ruki?" Locomon suddenly gave a jolt, nearly thrown off once more but it was lucky that I had sat down. I suddenly remembered Ruki and looked to find out that the bump had caused Ruki to start rolling, closer to the edge!
"Ruki!" I cried again, getting to my feet and rushing over to stop her fall. Apparently, the fall had woken her and I glimpsed the terror on her face as she neared the edge, heard her scream when she no longer had anything underneath her.
"RUKI!" I screamed, knowing that I wouldn't make it. With the adrenaline of desperation flooding through me, I jumped the last stretch of area and my arm shot out blindly. For a split second I thought I was too late, but then Ruki's hand brushed past mine and I hurriedly grabbed her hand and with all the strength I could muster, tried to hold on.
"Takato!" I heard her shout in surprise and I was relieved that Parasimon no longer had control over her.
"Locomon Evolve..." I looked to the front of the train and saw a few of the pieces withdraw in the Perfect and pipes of gold overlapping the metal at the side. More mechanical sounds allowed me to conclude that there were more changes occurring that were out of my range of sight. "GrandLocomon!" We gathered more speed and I could see the vortex that represented the Digital Zone becoming larger.
Locomon's evolution had diverted my mind, causing me to momentarily loosen my grip. I quickly caught myself but I knew that I couldn't hold on any longer.
Ruki seemed to realize this as well. "Let go! If you keeping holding on, we'll both—"
What was she saying? I couldn't abandon a friend in need! That was true especially if that particular friend was hanging off the side of a runaway train. "Idiot!" I called her, gritting my teeth in the effort it took to continue holding on, even if Guilmon was trying to pull the both of us up. "It's not like you to give up! What happened to you?" I asked. Partially afraid that she was going to let go herself, I added, "Hang on, Ruki!"
I couldn't believe that Ruki, of all people, had even considered giving up. Was she having some kind of problem? Had she considered suicide and thought that that situation was the best way to deal with it? I tried not to think of that. Ruki was one of the strongest people I know; she wouldn't have wanted that. I looked back one last time, wishing to talk to Ruki but knowing that Renamon was right. I should wait until she wanted to talk about it and only then will I be able to help her. I pushed myself off the wall and started back to the party, my train of thoughts still fuelled by my concern.
My greeting back to the living room was not what I expected as I was knocked into by someone, derailing my thoughts. At first I thought it was either Hirokazu or Kenta playing a game with me, but I heard Ryo's voice batter down that assumption.
"Sorry Takato," he apologized. "I was looking for Impmon."
How could I accept the apology when I was the one who wasn't paying attention to who was it front of me? I shook my head. "I should be sorry, Ryo. I was too busy thinking to other things." My ears finally picked up all the noise in the room and I looked around to see that some of my fellow Tamers in distress. "What happened here?"
The fifteen-year-old laughed slightly. "I think I should clarify myself. I was chasing Impmon." His sapphire eyes darted away from my face and I knew that he was worried about Ruki as well. "So did Ruki tell you what was bothering her?"
I sighed. "She's obviously upset about something. I just wish I could help her. But Renamon stopped me before I could get a word in." I saw Culumon flying between us, carrying his tray of plates back into the kitchen and I was reminded of what I had been doing before I went out. "She was acting weird in the train too..." I started to say, but sighed instead. Why was I starting that again? Ruki just needed some time to get over what had happened. "It's been such a hectic day, I should probably help Katou-san in the kitchen." I bowed my head and he let me pass.
Apparently, all the plates had been collected and Katou-san and Ruki's grandmother had already begun washing them while immersed in friendly conversation. I walked up to the woman and gently tapped her on the back, signalling my arrival. "Hata-san, I can take it from here."
She smiled at me. "Thanks for the offer, Takato but I'm not one of those cranky grandmothers who complain about work. I do much of the chores as well."
I smiled to myself at the similarity between Ruki and her grandmother, but I was persistent. "It's not that. I just want to help."
Hata-san sighed and slipped off her gloves, handing them to me. That was when the similarity stopped, had it been Ruki she would've stood her ground or demanded me out. "Have fun," were her parting words, saying them with her eyes darting between Katou-san and myself.
I frowned, what did she mean by that? Putting on the gloves, I shrugged the problem away and smiled at Katou-san, certain that she was as confused as I. She caught my gaze and smiled in return, but her smile had this certain twist that bothered me. But before I could say anything, she'd handed me a plateful of suds to rinse out.
I placed the plate under the warm-running water, about to ask her what was wrong when she beat me to another question. "Is Ruki okay?"
"I don't know," I confessed, sighing. "I didn't get to ask her anything outside, but I hope she is. I feel like this is all my fault," I said, taking a rag off a hook to dry off my plate. "If I hadn't told Hirokazu anything about what happened on the train, Ruki wouldn't have gotten upset." I was dimly aware that that particular boy had taken up the microphone as my hands slowly went over the procedure of dish washing. "I mean, it is her birthday and everything and..."
I glanced down. And what else? I wondered. After all couldn't I be concerned about my friends? The strange silence of the kitchen disturbed me and I looked up to see that the water had been turned off, and Katou-san was no longer standing beside me. I noticed that the dishes were done and blushed, quickly removing myself from the area. Apparently Katou-san had been sitting at a table behind me, causing my blush to grow even deeper. She didn't seem to care though as she had fixed her hazel-eyes to stare at the wall.
For the second time, I felt that worry seep its way back into me as I approached her and sat myself down. "Katou-san, are you okay?" I asked tentatively, waiting for her reaction.
After a couple of nerve-wracking seconds, she unexpectedly slammed her hands on the tabletop and stood up, making me jump in surprise. I would have expected this reaction from Ruki but it was unlike Katou-san to throw fits of anger. "Takato! Just stop it!" She looked at me with watery eyes, pleading me to...what? The girl burst out into the living room and without stopping her run, told Makino-san that she would be leaving.
I could feel something burst in me in a similar fashion and I had this sudden urge to go after her, but something held me back—the lack of knowledge as to what this meant. Outside I could see all eyes focused on me, silently asking me what had happened. Being equally confused, I couldn't answer them and tried to scan the sea of irises to find a pair of grey. Lee Jenrya was my good friend and was usually the one I'd turn to for advise. He may have been the same age as me but it seemed that because he had siblings, he had this concept on life that I was unable to grasp; he was able to understand how it was to care about someone.
Crimson red met grey steel and he nodded to me, approving what I was urged to do so I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Up ahead I saw that Katou-san was almost to the doors and, bringing out that same desperation that had saved Ruki, I burst out into a sprint and was able to grab onto her hand; like with Ruki, I dared not let go.
"Katou-san," I tried again, gasping for breath. "Why are you acting this way? What did I do?"
Author's Note: Perhaps I made Jeri a little OOC in this chapter, but hopefully I can explain her behaviour when I get to her part seeing as I've got half that chapter finished. Expect a quick update after chapter 3. Takato may have been a bit OOC, but I was trying to capture his naïve self that we've seen earlier in the show. Although he'd lost some of it towards the end, I couldn't completely ignore that boyish side of him.
Most of my character information was taken from a site that I will keep placed in my profile for as long as I'm working on this story. I advise you to go to the sites as it really gets in-depth with the Tamers.
The last two chapters may have been a bit on the short side, but I promise something longer when I do the girls. If I just gave away what happened next, there wouldn't be much suspense now would there? ;)
:hums Clay Aiken's "I Survived You": Only a few hours and I've already grown addicted to this CD, but you should thank Clay for finishing up this chapter. :) You can also place your thanks in the form of a review :nods: